Facts and figures vs. myths and misrepresentations : Henry Wirz and the Andersonville Prison

Facts and Figures

vs.
Myths and Misrepresentations

HENRY WIRZ

and the

Andersonville Prison

MILDRED LEWIS RUTHERFORD
Athens, Georgia

Historical Essay Contest

Georgia Division, U. D.C.
1920-1921

The Truth About Captain Wirz

To the Children of Georgia :

Realizing that information in an available form has not J>een
gathered sufficiently for the writing of these essays, I have
prepared this sketch as a labor of love.

Mildred Lewis Rutherford,

State Historian, U. D. C.
Athens, Ga., January, 1921.

Henry Wirz and the Andersonville Prison

Many. Northern and Foreign newspapers and magazines of
recent years have given such unjust representations of the An-
dersonville Prison and the part Henry Wirz, the superintend-
ent, played in it, that Southern historians must right as soon as
possible this grievous wrong of history.

Without giving any testimony from the South, not only
Major Wirz but Jefferson Davis and the Confederate Govern-
ment can be absolutely vindicated upon Northern testimony
alone. (See pp. 19-26). (Louis Schade's testimony, pp. 27-33).

WHO WAS HENRY WIRZ?*

Henry Wirz was born at Zurich, Switzerland in 1822. His
father was Abraham Wirz, a highly esteemed citizen of Zurich,
and ' ' well-to-do " so far as this world's goods are concerned.

He attended school at Zurich, graduating from the University
there, then he attended the medical colleges at Paris and Ber-
lin, receiving from both colleges the degree of M.D.

He was quite young when he began to practice medicine, and
married early. Two children, Paul and Louisa Emily, were left
when his wife died. So heart-broken was he over his wife's
death that he decided to leave his children with their grand-
parents and try his fortune in America.

He went to Kentucky and began to practice medicine at Cadiz.
In 1854 he married a widow, Mrs. Wolfe, with two children,
Susie and Cornelia.

He made an affectionate husband and a loving stepfather.
There was only one child from this marriage, Cora, who after-
wards became Mrs. J. S. Perrin, of Natchez, Miss. She was ten
years old when her father was executed, and she distinctly re-
members how her mother pleaded with the Federal authorities
for her father's body in order to give to it Christian burial and
how this request was cruelly denied. Mrs. Perrin is now (1921)
living in Natchez, Miss.

After this marriage Henry Wirz moved to Milliken's Bend,

* This name is so often mispronounced that a letter was sent to his
daughter, Mrs. Perrin asking for correct pronunciation. She wrote: "Pro-
nounce it as spelled, Wirz— Hot Wirt."

La. Ho was a very successful physician and was in fine finan-
cial circumstances in 1861 when the call was made for Southern
men to resist President Lincoln's unconstitutional coercion act.*

He joined Co. A. Fourth Battalion of Louisiana Volunteers,
to defend his adopted country. He was wounded in the Battle
of Seven Pines, his right arm being badly shattered. After this
he was forced to learn to write with his left hand. He was soon
promoted for bravery on battlefield, and was made captain.
After he was wounded, he was unable to enter active service, so
was detailed to take charge of the Military Prison at Richmond,
and later sent to Montgomery, Ala., to secure some missing rec-
ords. Then he was sent to Tuscaloosa, Ala., to take charge of a
prison there.

He was highly educated, speaking fluently English, French,
and German. He was a man of prepossessing appearance — tall,
slim, with aquiline nose and regular features, bright eyes, black
hair, black beard and mustache well trimmed. He was always
neatly dressed. His photograph is in one of the U. D. C. volumes
prepared by the Historian-General and placed in Confederate
Museum at Richmond, Va. This shows him in his grey Confed-
erate uniform with red sash — a totally different person from the
"coarse, low, squatty Dutchman with brutal features," as de-
scribed by his enemies.

President Davis sent him in 1862 to Paris and Berlin as
Special Minister Plenipotentiary. While in Paris he had the
shattered bones taken from his arm. He thought the operation
successful, but there must still have remained some piece of
bone in his arm, for he suffered 'from that wound until the day
of his death.

He remained in Europe two years, and when he returned he
was commanded to report to Col. Persons at Andersonville,
April 12, 1864, to take charge of the interior of the prison.
(Note the date, because Specification No. 6, which was one to
convict him of cruelty, was said to have happened Feb. 6, 1864,
two months before he arrived at Andersonville).

After the surrender, Captain Noyes was sent to collect the
official records of the prison, and found Major Wirz ready to
deliver them to him. Gen. Wilson directed Captain Noyes to
bring Captain Wirz to Macon. He went, fearing nothing, for

*■ Truths of History, p. 19.

he had accepted Gen. Wilson's parole in good faith, and he was
conscious of having done all for the prisoners that was possible
under the conditions.

The instincts of the gentleman were in Captain Wirz, and he
invited Captain Noyes to have something to eat before returning
to Macon. "We have little to eat, Captain," said Wirz, "but
to that little you are welcome. Coffee and tea are luxuries of
the past,"

The captain accepted the invitation and shared with the
family their frugal meal of bacon and corn bread. With a
woman's instinct, Mrs. Wirz did not like the ominous silence of
Captain Noyes, and became greatly agitated when her husband
bade her goodbye. Wirz tried to comfort his weeping wife and
children, assuring them that all would be well. After an af-
fectionate goodbye, he left for Macon.

Gen. Wilson examined the records, and finding them all
right, said Wirz could return to his family. He was at the
depot waiting for the delayed train, when an officer came up
and arrested him, saying he was needed in Washington City.
When he arrived, May 10, 1865, he was taken to the Old Cap-
itol Prison to await his trial, so the officer told him.

The trial began in September and lasted three months. It
was postponed upon the slightest technicality. In the mean-
time the War Department was using all means to collect wit-
nesses with evidence that would convict,

The Commission allowed suborned witnesses and mutilated
official reports to be accepted, taking extracts from the reports
that would condemn, and rejecting all reports that were favor-
able to the prisoner.

There was never a trial more unjust in profane history, unless
it was that of Thomas Cromwell, in English history, or of Mrs.
Surratt, accused of complicity in the assassination of Abraham
Lincoln.

The man most prominent in collecting this evidence against
Wirz was Col. E. D. Townsend, Assistant Adjutant-General, and
yet in his Memoirs, written afterward, not one word is found
about Wirz or his trial.

Dr. W. J. W. Kerr delivered an address in New Orleans to
the Confederate Veterans. He had been one of the surgeons
at Andersonville, and knew Wirz personally, and had an op-

portunity to judge his work. Dr. Kerr stated that many of the
acts of cruelty which convicted Wirz were, to his certain knowl-
edge, committed in August, when Henry Wirz was not in
charge at Andersonville. He said he had a letter from Dr. E.
A. Flewellen, who had been sent by the Federal authorities to
inspect the prison. Dr. Flewellen said he had been most pleas-
antly impressed by Captain Wirz as an officer, and had so re-
ported to the Federal authorities, but he had never heard from
his report, so he supposed it had suffered the same fate as other
reports sent to the Surgeon-General's office in regard to this
case.

Furthermore, Dr. Flewellen said he was present at Wirz's
trial and could confirm every statement Dr. Kerr had made in
New Orleans as to the unfairness of the proceeding, and that he
would never cease to have a contempt for that Commission, and
for the Judge Advocate of that Court Martial (N. P. Chipman)
for their efforts to intimidate the witnesses and to pervert the
truth. There was also open disrespect shown to Wirz's only
attorney, Louis Schade.

For many months Wirz was kept in prison. Finally he
wrote a letter to President Johnson. If this letter ever reached
President Johnson, he ignored it. No reply was ever received
to it.

All the accumulated passion of war seemed to be concentrated
upon this one man. He was hanged by the neck until he was
dead. The North realized soon that an innocent man had been
hanged.

Had Wirz been really guilty, all officials connected with the
prison would have been hanged also for permitting the atrocities
of which he was accused — but not one was ever called to trial.

When Mrs. Davis insisted that her husband, Jefferson Davis,
should be brought speedily to trial, the North made every effort
to find something against him which would convict him. When
no proof could be found of complicity in the assassination of
Abraham Lincoln, and Chief Justice Chase said he could not
be tried as a traitor, for secession was a constitutional right,*
then they turned to the Andersonville Prison for proof to con-
vict him of cruel treatment to the prisoners ; but when the secret

* Truths of History, p. 57.

records** of the Confederate Congress were examined Judge
Shea reported that neither Jefferson Davis nor the Confederate
Government could be proven guilty, and the whole fault was
with the Federal Government and the commanding officers of
the Army.***

Dr. Kerr testified to the tender heart of Wirz. He says that
he has seen the tears rolling down his cheeks when he saw the
suffering of the prisoners and was powerless to relieve them.
He was called a brute, but brutes never weep. For the first time
in civilized times had medicine been made contraband of
war. **

He also testified that Captain "Wirz could not have been hated
by the prisoners, as he always went unarmed among them.

He could not have been hated by the prisoners, or they would
not have presented him with a gold watch and given him other
testimonials of their appreciation of his kindness.

They also gave a gold watch to Lieut. Mayes, whom Captain
Wirz had placed in command at the gate of the prison. Lieut.
Mayes treasured very highly this token of appreciation. He
was in Co. D, 7th Georgia Regiment, and was wounded in Sec-
ond Battle of Manassas, which incapacitated him for active
service. This is a copy of that letter :

"Camp Sumter, Ga.,

"September 20th, 1864.
"To Lieut. S. F. Mayes,
"2nd Ga. Infantry,

"Sir: We, the undersigned, prisoners of war, now confined
in the Confederate prison for upwards of eleven months, now
deem it our duty to present you with a small and trifling testi-
monial to show you that we appreciate your noble and charitable
conduct toward our poor sick brothers as well as the well ones.

"This watch that we present you with, is not as noble as our
hearts would be willing to present you with, but it is the best
we are able to find , hoping you may always be able to wear it
in remembrance of those Federal prisoners, who present you
with it. Hoping we may be able to enjoy blessings of a peace-
ful and happy home, and meet as brothers and not as enemies

** Truths of History, p. 24.

*.** Truths of History, p. 60.

**** Dr. Gardner's Testimony, Truths of History, p. 22.

in a very short time. Believe us, Lieutenant, to be your humble
donors, (Signed)

"Francis Fogaritie, 19th U. S. I.

"John Foy, 16th U. S.I.

"William Hogan, 14th Conn. Vol.

"T. H. Murphy, 1st. N. Y. Cav.

"H. Rigley, 8th 111. Vols.

"J. H. Friend, 16th Cav. Vols.

"J. McLain, 16th Cav. Vols.

This is a copy of a letter from Henry Wirz's daughter, Mrs.
Cora Wirz Perrin (J. S.), Natchez, Miss., when asked what be-
came of the watch given to her father :

"Natchez, Miss., April 13, 1920. -
"My dear Miss Rutherford:

"Yes, I did tell you that my father received numerous tokens
of the kind feelings and appreciation of all he tried to do for
those prisoners at Andersonville, among them a gold watch.
Often he came out of the stockade with different trinkets the
prisoners had made for him with only their pocket knives.
These trinkets were made of bone — crosses, books, rings, thim-
bles, etc.

"I distinctly remember a bone Bible, a tiny thing that father
brought to me and said, a prisoner told him to give this to his
' baby. ' It was carved out of bone and looked like a closed book.
The word 'Bible' was carved on one side, and on the other a
small diamond shape had been cut in deep and filled with red
sealing wax. It had a hole drilled in one end and I put a cord
through the hole and wore it around my neck with intense and
sincere childish pride. Many rings were given him — not ex-
pensive ones — but the watch ivas a gold one and sent to him by
a number of the prisoners. When he was arrested and taken
to Washington and put in the old Capitol Prison, it was stolen
from him.

"Some of the best friends we had were some of the patrolled
prisoners that father had given work around the house, and fed
from our kitchen. He used to say to us when he had to leave
home: 'These, (calling them by name) will protect and care
for you while I am away/ and they did.

"I have no more testimonials because our old Kentucky home
burned down ten years after the war, and we lost everything, as
all of the family were away from home, and only negroes were
on the place. We lost all the things father had brought mother
that belonged to his family when he went to Europe, the second
year of the war besides his passport, his picture and all the let-
ters from him, and all the history of his trial and murder — for,

8

Miss Rutherford, he was murdered by the United States Govern-
ment. What I have written you is as true as God's own word.
I could tell you so much to prove to you that my father was loved
and trusted by so many, many, very many prisoners, but it
would take a long time.

"During a short illness some other officer had to go to the
stockade — father's custom was to go every day — so the prison
key had to be sent to this officer. There was a drummer boy
about 16 or 17 years old who stayed in our home. He was per-
fectly devoted to us, especially to father. We had no use for
his services, but father had him paroled because he was so sorry
for him. Father asked him if he could trust him to take the
prison key to the Confederate officer. He said, 'Yes, I will de-
liver the key to him or bring it back to you.' Now, he could
just as easily have given that key to some patrolled Yankee who
could have managed to let out all of those thousands of prison-
ers on that handful of people at Andersonville. We lived four
or five miles from Andersonville, and that drummer boy rode
the 'old grey mare' that father always rode, and he delivered
that key to the proper one. Was not that devotion?

"Another time he risked his life to save my life when we
were caught out in a storm, and I was riding my pony.

"I must close. J could not exhaust memory were I to write
all day about these things.

"With a heart full of love for you, and your glorious work.
"Cordially yours,

"CORA WIRZ PERRIN."*

SINCERE PRAISE FOR WIRZ FROM
COL. JAS. H. FANNIN.

Certainly no better informant of the true history of Ander-
sonville can be found than Colonel James H. Fannin, commander
of the First Regiment, Georgia Reserves, C. S. A., formerly a
resident of LaQrange, but later of Savannah. He was at
one time the commandant of the post, and from 1863 to the
end of the war, was daily in contact with all that occurred.

Among other statements made by Colonel Fannin are the fol-
lowing :

"Wirz was a brave, conscientious officer— gave prisoners every
comfort at his command — was the real martyr of Andersonville.

"I suppose I should know," said Colonel Fannin, "something
about Andersonville, because I was stationed" there for some

♦This original letter has been placed by Miss Rutherford in the Confeder-
at Museum, Richmond. Va., in one of the volumes of U. D. C. Records.

time and was commandant of the post. In July, 1863, the First
Georgia Reserves were organized and mustered into service in
Atlanta. Immediately upon assuming the command of the reg-
iment I was ordered to Andersonville. Upon our arrival there
I found the post in command of Lieutenant Colonel Aleck Per-
sons, and as my rank was the senior of his the command naturally
fell to me.

' ' Captain Henry Wirz was then in command of the interior
of the prison, which position was entirely a separate command
from that of the post. Within the prison, or stockade as it was
called, were twelve to fifteen thousand prisoners of war, and
over these Captain Wirz had full control.

"The arrangement that Wirz had made for the care of the
prisoners was an excellent one. He first of all selected 200 of the
men from the total number who were to serve thereafter as
cooks for all of them, and these cooks were quartered in a place
separate from the remainder. This prevented any suspicion on
the part of the men as to any improper preparation of their
food, and to me was a kindly act, though at the same time a
necessary one.

"The prisoners were made into details of 100 each and one
cook looked out for this number. What food there was to serve
the men was, of course, all that the fortunes of war would allow.
The Confederate Government had so little to give that sometimes
the men were compelled to suffer greatly. Wirz, however, had
nothing to do with that. He made his requisitions upon the
commissary department, which was a separate command over
which he had no control, and when the rations were there and
were given out they went to the 200 Yankee cooks, who served
them to the prisoners.

"Sometimes provisions would be sent down to Andersonville
from the North and the handling of such shipments received the
most unselfish direction from Wirz. They were always shipped
to him personally and not one cracker or even the smallest bit
of cheese went to any save the prisoners. A Confederate had
no more expectancy of getting any of these provisions than he
did that Wirz should be executed for cruelty. The strict re-
gard of the man for what was right and just was one of his
characteristics.

"The matter of fuel was at times a most troublesome thing
and enough wood could not be procured to build fires to warm
the prisoners. The Confederacy did not have wagons or men
and the prisoners themselves could not be allowed to go upon
parol to collect fagots. So as many of our men as could be
spared were placed as guards over some of the prisoners and in
this way these gathered the wood from the neighborhood. The
post at that time covered ten or eleven acres, and to alleviate

10

the suffering it was increased to 17 acres or more upon the sug-
gestion and recommendation of Wirz. Even then the trouble
was not ended, because at one time there were as many as
40,000 men in that stockade.

"Wirz was continually making an effort for an exchange of
prisoners in order to help the unfortunate state of affairs, but
the United States turned a deaf ear to all overtures and no ex-
changes were made. The blame for the hardships which fol-
lowed the confinement of the men was traceable to their own
government and not to any one man. Wirz did not oppress.
He had to maintain the strict rules applicable to prisoners of
war, because with 15,000 men to handle and the large number
of desperate men within their ranks it was far too dangerous
to adopt any other course. What liberties he could grant he
did and what infractions were made had to be punished.

"There was no cruelty nor any exercise of authority merely
because he had authority. In fact, Wirz was called upon on
many occasions to protect the prisoners themselves and received
their warm thanks for his decided stand in their aid. I remem-
ber distinctly one event which I have never forgotten, and now
that so much has been said, think of the eminent justice of it all.
Wirz was informed by the prisoners that there were many with-
in their ranks who would upon the slightest pretext commit
murder or robbery or any other despicable deed, and from
these men they sought his protection.

"My own personal observation of the man leaves no doubt in
my mind that he was sacrified to meet the insistent demands of
a people at the North who demanded his life to satisfy their
revengeful spirit. I was summoned and appeared as a witness
at the trial of Wirz and in Washington can be found today the
testimony I gave in his defense. I saw at a glance the feeling
underlying the prosecution, and although I did not dream that
his life would be taken, I felt that something dreadful would be
his fate. Everyone admired the sublime courage of the man,
his fine dignity and refusal to shift any blame upon others, and
I have often wondered that his persecutors could not have the
magnanimity to grant him at least some degree of consideration
for these qualities.

"In conversation with General O. H. LaGrange, of the Fed-
eral Army, the following passed between us:

" 'I know there was no cruelty at Andersonville, and if one
man shall be paroled in Macon with all of his property restored
to him you shall be the one. '

" 'But,' said I, 'what do you know about Andersonville?'

" 'I was a prisoner there.'

" 'Were you one of the batch of officers who came in?'

" 'I was, and I know that there was no cruelty at Anderson-
ville. You may depend upon me to give my honor to that fact. '

11

"Only two years ago I received a letter from General La-
Grange, who was then in San Francisco. He was at the govern-
ment mint and wrote me a warm letter of friendship. I re-
member him — now dead, I believe — the Catholic priest and
bishop, and the martyred Wirz, as though it were yesterday.
Time passes away quickly, but I trust before I go will see some
things righted that ought to be."

Colonel Fannin expressed the opinion that it would be the
proper thing to erect the monument to Wirz at Andersonville
rather than Richmond. If Andersonville were not chosen, then
he thinks the capitol grounds in Atlanta should be the spot.
The idea that the monument which was to be reared to the man
whose work in Georgia had been the cause of his death and
whose vindication had been started by Georgians to be
erected in any other state save Georgia seemed to be inconsist-
ent. He hoped that the action to send the memorial to Rich-
mond would not be final and that the tribute to "Wirz would
rest upon Georgia soil, as Wirz himself would have wished it.

THE TRIAL OF HENRY WIRZ

(Page's "True History of Andersonville") .

The Military Commission was appointed to meet August 23,
1865, for the trial of Henry Wirz.

The Military Commission consisted of:

Major- Gen. Lew Wallace, U. S. Volunteers.

Brev't Major-Gen. L. Thomas, Adjutant General U. S. A.

Brev't. Major-Gen. G. Mott, U. S. Volunteers.

Brig.-Gen. Francis Fessenden, U. S. Volunteers.

Brig.-Gen. A. S. Bragg, U. S. Volunteers.

Brev't, Brig.-Gen. John F. Ballior, U. S. Volunteers.

Brev't. Col. T. Allcock, 4th N. Y. Artillery.

Lieut. -Colonel J. H. Stibbs, 12th Iowa Volunteers.

The Judge Advocate was Col. N. P. Chipman.

The Commission was to sit without regard to hours.

By order of the President of the Ignited States.

E. D. TOWNSEND, Adjutant General.

The specifications were as follows:

(These specifications are greatly abbreviated in order to save
space and time). (See A True History of Andersonville, Page.

12

No. 1. Said Henry Wirz on the eighth day of July, 1864,
while acting as commander did make an assault upon a prisoner
(name unknown) inflicting upon the body a mortal wound with
a pistol — the said soldier died the ninth day of July, 1864.*

No. 2. On September 20th, 1864, Henry Wirz did with malice
aforethought jump upon, stamp, kick, bruise, and otherwise in-
jure with the heels of his boots a soldier (name unknown) be-
longing to the United States Army — the said soldier died.*

No. 3. On the 13th day of June, 1864, Henry Wirz, command-
ant of the camp at Andersonville of the so-called Confederate
States of America did shoot and discharge a pistol inflicting
upon the body of a soldier (name unknown) a mortal wound
from which the soldier died.**

No. 4. On May 30th, Henry Wirz with a certain pistol did
feloniously and with malice aforethought, inflict upon a soldier
(name unknown) a mortal wound from which the soldier died.

No. 5. On August 20th, 1864, Henry Wirz, an officer of the
so-called Confederate States, did confine and bind with instru-
ments of torture a soldier belonging to the Army of the United
States (name unknown) and in consequence of such cruel treat-
ment the said soldier died on the 30th day of August.

No. 6. On February 1, 1864, Henry Wirz did confine and
bind a U. S. soldier (name unknown) and from such torture
he died on the 6th" day.*

No. 7. On July 20, Henry Wirz did fasten and chain to-
gether several persons, soldiers of the U. S. (names unknown)
binding the necks and feet of said soldiers closely together and
compelling them to carry heavy burdens, large iron balls chain-
ed to their feet and in consequence of such treatment one of
them died.*

No. 8. May 15, 1864, Henry Wirz did order a rebel soldier
(name unknown) to fire upon a soldier of the U. S. Army (name
unknown) inflicting .upon him a mortal wound from which he
died.*

No, 9. On the 21st of July, Henry Wirz did order a rebel
soldier (name unknoivn) to fire upon a soldier, a prisoner of

* Although there were thousands of prisoners at Andersonville at this time,
not one could give the name of the man killed, nor the Company nor Regi-
ment nor iState from which he came, although he lived one day after being
wounded.

** Mr. Page makes this entry : "1 was at Andersonville from Feb. 27, 1864
to September 20, 1864, and while there I never knew or ever heard of any
prisoner being harmed by Henry Wirz. Had such occurred it would have
been a topic of general discussion."

* Six days he lingered and yet no one knew his name.

Note also that Henry Wirz did not reach Andersonville until April 12, two
months after this incident is said to have occurred.

Page says: "I could have ^borne witness to this malicious indictment, but
was not allowed to testify."

* This shooting was done in broad daylight in the presence of thousands,
and yet no one could give the name of the man doing the killing or who could
name the one who was killed.

13

war (name unknown) inflicting a mortal wound from which,
the prisoner died.

No. 10. On August 20, 1864, Henry Wirz did order a rebel
soldier (name unknown) to fire upon a U. S. soldier (name un-
known) inflicting a mortal wound from which he died.*

No. 11. July 1, 1864, Henry Wirz did incite, and urge fe-
rocious bloodhounds to pursue, attack, wound, and tear in pieces
soldiers belonging to the U. S. Army, and a prisoner (name un-
known) was so mortally wounded that on the sixth day he died.*

No. 13. On Aug. 3, 1864, Henry Wirz with a pistol called a
revolver did beat and bruise the head, shoulders and breast of
a soldier, prisoner of war (name unknown) inflicting mortal
wounds from which he died August 4, 1864.*

These were the 13 charges upon which Henry Wirz, C. S. A.,
was tried, condemned and hanged.

His counsel filed pleas in bar to the charges and Wirz pleaded
not guilty.

His pleas were :

He was a paroled prisoner of war by Gen. Wilson.

No court could try a paroled person. Civil law had been
restored and no trial could be held by military law.

The vagueness of time, place and manner of offenses made
charges valueless.

He had been honorably discharged from the Confederate
Army and he was entitled to the terms of surrender agreed upon
by Generals Sherman and Johnston.

Louis Schade was his attorney. Col. Chipman, the Judge
Advocate, from the start had everything his own way. There
were 160 witnesses, nearly every one prisoners at Andersonvilie.

The banner witness was a prisoner named Felix de la Baume,
who gave his birthplace in France, on the French side of the
Rhine. He was the one who testified to most of the killing.
His omnipresence at Andersonvilie was supernatural.

He had a good address, he had a pleasant voice and he was
intelligent. He swayed the crowd by his oratory. He glibly re-
hearsed the manifold atrocities of Henry Wirz. He held the
crowd spellbound. He made the statement that he was related
to Marquis de Lafayette, Washington's friend, the hero of

* Mr. Page testifies that this was the month that Captain Wirz was at home
on sick leave of absence.

* The wounded man. mangled by bloodhounds, lived six days, yet no one
knew his name. Besides, bloodhounds do not mangle; they only were used
to track.

* Remember, Henry Wirz was on sick leave at this time.

14

Brandywine was his grand uncle. So great was the impression
he made that after the trial he was given a position in the De-
partment of the Interior at Washington.

Eleven days after Wirz was hanged some German soldiers -
recognized in Lafayette's grand nephew a deserter from the
Seventh New York Volunteers and his name was not de la
Baume at all but Felix de la Baume Oesser, born in Saxony, on
the German side of the Rhine. After this discovery he disap-
peared and was known no more.

The trial lasted three months and was postponed for the most
insignificant excuses. This was *the time that "Wirz wrote to
President Johnson urging that the trial should be held.

Out of 160 witnesses called, twelve only testified to any cruelty,
and these testified to cruelties and atrocities many of which hap-
pened before Wirz came to Andersonville, or while he was on
sick leave.

Page said: "I was notified to be a witness but was never
called. I was sorely disappointed."

"The pre- judged condemnation of Henry Wirz has only one
parallel in history."

Dr. A. W. Barrows was called for a witness, but when he
would say nothing derogatory of Wirz he was quickly dismissed
from the witness stand.

Not a surgeon or hospital attendant testified to any cruelty on
the part of Henry Wirz.

The Surgeon General sent Surgeon Jos. Jones to visit the
sick and to make investigations and to report. His report was
sent to Dr. J. H. White, Surgeon of the Hospital for Federal
Prisoners at Andersonville.

Col. Chipman selected only the portion of the report relating
to atrocities at the prison, the remainder of the report was
mutilated. It never reached the authorities at Washington.*

Col. Ould was called to be a witness, but when he stated that
he would testify in favor of Wirz he was never called, and his
subpoena was taken from him. (See Page's History, p. 223).

Father Whelan went to Washington to testify. When his
views were learned he was never called.

Gen. Howell Cobb was summoned as a witness, but when it

See Dr. Jones' Report on pp= 51, 52.

15

was learned he would testify in favor of Wirz, Sec. Stanton
telegraphed he was not needed as a witness.

"I do not produce these statements to reflect upon Judge
Advocate Chipman, but to show the temper of the times and
that no statement from Wirz's enemies could be credited.

"All the accumulated passions of war were concentrated
upon that one man. He was the magnet that drew Northern
wrath to satiety.

"A prisoner, after leaving the stand as a witness, was over-
heard to say on leaving the stand: 'Every word I swore was a
lie, and if allowed to return I would swear it all away.' (See
Page's 'History of Andersonvfyle.')

"Wirz was doomed before he was heard, and the permission
to be heard according to law was denied him."

His attorney said that 145 witnesses out of the 160 that testi-
fied on both sides, declared that Captain Wirz never with his
own hand or otherwise murdered or killed a Union prisoner —
and that there was abundant proof in existence to show that the
twelve or fifteen witnesses who swore they saw him do it swore
falsely. Not a name of the murdered men reported could ever
be found.

Who, then, was responsible for the many lives lost at Ander-
sonville? It certainly was not poor Wirz.

Captain Wirz was not even allowed Christian burial. (See
Page's History and Louis Schade's report, p. 245).

"Thus ended," says Page (216) "the greatest judicial farce
enacted since Oliver Cromwell tried and condemned Charles I."

Page then continues:

"I would like to ask my comrades who differ with me and
still insist that Captain Wirz was guilty. Do you know of your
own knowledge that he ever maimed or killed a Union soldier?
Isn't it prejudice pure and simple, caused by the privation and
suffering at Andersonville ? I judge Henry Wirz by my per-
sonal knowledge of the man.

"I have written this book to vindicate an unfortunate and
much- wronged man."

In the New York Times, November 10th, 1918, Matthew Page
Andrews had an article about "The Captain Wirz Case." The
Judge Advocate, Chipman, was then living at Sacramento, Cal.

In December, 1918, in the same paper, he answered Mr. An-
drews, but his answer was very weak, for he made no mention
of the mutilated reports of Dr. Jos. Jones, and of Dr. E. A.
Flewellen, Dr. Barrows and other reports that never reached

16

their destination, nor of witnesses being summoned to testify
and never called to the stand, nor of the testimony of Dr. Bar-
rows as to the impure vaccine matter that was used upon the sol-
diers being the same that had been used upon the women and
children of Andersonville, not knowing its poisonous nature —
he was the witness sent there to testify to this and his report
was not allowed to be made, although Dr. Barrows told Judge
Chipman of his mission before the trial began. Nor did Judge
Chipman allude to the subpoena being withdrawn from Col.
Ould, nor the attempt to bribe Wirz to implicate President
Davis, nor could he name a man who had been killed.

Why did he not give the reason that President Johnson did
not answer Wirz's letter? Why was- Louis Schade's testimony
not given publicity? Why was it that Father Whelan's and
Father Boyle's testimony were not given? Why- was not Page
and other prisoners allowed to testify? Why did Secretary
Stanton telegraph Gen. Cobb not to come ?

Judge Chipman said the trial was a fair one, but he did not
prove it. It was a most unjust trial and he knew it. Judge
Chipman said that all witnesses were allowed to testify. Judge
Chipman knew that this was false.

Judge Chipman did say many things that were true, how-
ever, but he was not great enough or just enough to tell why
they were true.

Judge Chipman says "the prisoners were starved while food
was abundant in Georgia, until Sherman destroyed all food pos-
sible and then cut off the railroad communications."

Yes, President Davis ordered the Stockade to be placed in the
richest belt of Georgia, where food was abundant. The cause
was lack of vessels in which to serve food. (See p. 22, Wirz's
plea for buckets and cooking utensils to furnish food to these
starving men). The South was not a manufacturing section and
the North refused to supply the vessels. (See President Davis'
order for quality and quantity of food to be given).*

Judge Chipman said that the sanitary conditions were un-
bearable and all sorts of diseases engendered by this.

Judge Chipman was right, but why was he not honest enough
to say that the stockade was built for 10,000 men in "a healthy
location near running water?" Why did he not say that be-

* Wrongs of History Righted, p. 31. Acts of Confederate Congress.

17

cause the cartel that agreed upon an exchange of prisoners was
not kept, that 30,000, or by some estimated 45,000, men were
crowded in? Why did he not tell of Captain Wirz's letter beg-
ging for tools, axes, wheelbarrows, carts and other things neces-
sary to look after the sanitary conditions, when the Confederate
Government was powerless to supply them, and the Federal
Government would not? (See Wirz's letter, pp. 21, 22).
Why did he not tell, at Wirz's request, that the stockade was
enlarged by many acres?

Judge Chipman said the soldiers were dying from diseases
incident to this congestion, and that the situation was horrible.

Judge Chipman was right. No words can describe the hor-
rible situation, and none knew it better or agonized over it
more than Captain Wirz, President Davis and the military of-
ficials in charge — but their hands were tied by the Federal
Government.

For the first time in the history of the ivorld medicine had-,
been made contraband of war.

The Confederate Government pleaded for medicine and sup-
plies, promising they should only be used upon the Federal
prisoners, and only by Federal surgeons appointed by them,
but the North refused to grant this request. (See Official Rec-
ords, p. 592).

Northern wives and mothers tried to carry hidden medicine
to relieve their loved ones, and Federal authorities, not Confed-
erate authorities, had them searched and the medicine taken
from them.

. Confederate authorities never refused to let the prisoners
have food, clothes, money, or medicine sent by their loved ones.

Captain Wirz had every prisoner's grave marked so that
their loved ones could find that spot when the war was over.

He said that the men were not properly clothed and suffered
from extremes of cold and heat, and impure water. Judge
Chipman was right.

While the stockade was in the richest lumber section of the
State, no timber could be cut without axes, and while the purest
water ran through the camps at first, the crowded condition
soon made it filthy and impure. That "Providence Spring"
story was a myth. There are people now living who before the
war drank water from this free flowing spring. It had become

18

clogged from the washing rains, and was opened later by a
freshet.

It was Henry Wirz who thought jto manufacture a beer to
quench the thirst so that the impure water need not be drunk.

The Federal Government had made clothing contraband of
war, then sent their armies to burn the few factories that were
in the South.

General Sherman, September 22, 1864, in a letter to James
E. Yeatman, said:

"These Confederates are as proud as Lucifer, and hate to con-
fess poverty, but I know positively they are really unable to
supply the things our soldiers need as socks, drawers, under-
shirts, scissors, combs, soap and the things our men sorely need
more than anything else to preserve cleanliness and health."
(See Official Records).

Ambrose Spencer in A Narrative of Andersonville, pp. 16, 17,
says : •

' ' Andersonville is in the richest portion of the cotton and corn
growing region of Georgia. The wells and springs and clear
streams in its neighborhood are remarkable for the coolness,
pleasant taste and crystal transparency of their contents as
well as for their abundant supply."

This was the place selected by President Davis for a stockade
for Union prisoners. Had it not been overcrowded by a failure
to keep the agreement regarding exchange on the part of the
Federal Government, all would have been well.

TESTIMONY FROM THE NORTH.

Albert D. Richardson, in his Field, Dungeon, and Escape,
written in 1865, says on page 417 :

"The Government held a large excess of prisoners, and the
rebels were anxious to exchange man for man, but our authori-
ties acted upon the cold-blooded theory of Edwin M. Stanton,
Secretary of War, that we could not afford to give well-fed,
rugged men for invalids and skeletons. ' '

Again, on page 457, he says :

"Those 5,000 loyal graves at Salisbury are fitting monuments
to the atrocious inhumanity of Edwin M. Stanton who stead-
fastly refused to exchange our prisoners."

Page said:

"When we heard Stanton's reply in regard to exchange, we
felt that we were forsaken by our Government. The War Of-

19

fice at Washington preferred to let us die rather than exchange
us." {True History of Andersonville) .

Melvin Grisby, in his History of Andersonville Prison, page
138, says :

"The prison authorities at Andersonville permitted the pris-
oners to send to Washington a committee of three to petition the
President for an immediate exchange of prisoners on the terms
agreed upon by the rebels, setting out fully and plainly the
suffering that was being endured, and the loss of life daily oc-
curring. This petition was signed by thousands in the prison,
and is probably now on file in the War Department. There
are many thousand gravestones at Andersonville which would
not be there and many thousand widows and orphans caused by
the mistaken zeal and cold-blooded principles of those in au-
thority at Washington at that time.

"When the war ended and Harper's Weekly brought out
illustrations of 'the starved heroes,' then a storm of indignation
burst over the heads of their own misguided statesmen, who had
refused to exchange.

"These returned prisoners told how the Confederate author-
ities urged exchange under any circumstances and even asked
to send back the soldiers without exchange and the War Sec-
retary refused.

"The storm had to be averted, something had to be done to
avenge Andersonville, so Wirz was made the victim and was
hanged. ' '

John W. Urban, in his Battlefield and Pen, on page 381,
says:

"We sometimes felt embittered against the Government for
not making a greater effort to release us, and among ourselves
we often were tempted to say bitter things, but in the presence
of our enemy any insinuation of this kind against our own Gov-
ernment would excite ire and indignation. It was a sad fact,
however, that hundreds died with a feeling in their hearts that
the Government they loved so well, and fought so hard to save
was indifferent to their sad fate."

James Madison Page, in his True History of Andersonville
Prison, page 106, says:

"Many of the prisoners, being but human, raised their
clenched, trembling hands towards heaven and with fearful
oaths cursed the authorities at Washington, and the day they
were born. Oh, what hatred was engendered for our Secretary
of War.

"It is true, after we were released we, for policy sake, either
kept silent or joined in the clamor against Wirz.

20

"The Northern papers published it broadcast that the ex-
change of negro prisoners for white was the cause that the ex-
change was not allowed. This was not true, for as Grigsby
says, 'The Washington authorities had concluded to stop the
exchange of prisoners before there were any negro prisoners at
Andersonville. '

"At the close of the war the feeling was so intense in the
North on account of the mortality among the prisoners of war
at Andersonville that something had to be done to satisfy the
demand for the punishment of those supposed to be responsible
for that suffering, and Major Wirz became the victim. He was
doomed before he was tried."

An article appeared in the New York Daily News, August 9,
1865, written by a prisoner who signed himself M. S. H. :

"Is Wirz to be held up to the world as a murderer of hither-
to unknown magnitude? I trust not. In our national heraldry
I see an olive branch for the conquered, not a hangman's noose.
Believe me, I have no personal interest or object in making this
statement or -appeal. I never spoke a word to Captain Wirz
or he to me.

' ' The mortality at Andersonville, resulting mainly from want
of food, want of shelter, want of medical attention, want of
hospital diet, came from a purely local cause, coupled with the
moral degredation exhibited by- some of the prisoners them-
selves.

"Captain Wirz granted favors to our men and those favors
had to be withdrawn because no reliance could be put upon the
promises of our men.

"The cooks were our own men, on parole, the quality of food,
until Generals Sherman and Kilpatrick destroyed all railroad
communication, was the same as was given to our guards.

"I resent a man's being convicted on pictures in our maga-
zines— pictures of suffering and starvation, showing vindictive-
ness of spirit, instead of a spirit of magnanimity and truth on
the part of the prisoners themselves."

James Madi:on Page, in The True History of Andersonville,
page 135, says:

"If you want the truth regarding Andersonville, go to the
official records for the facts. Ask for 'The War of the Rebel-
lion' Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies,
published by the United States Government. Examine Series
2, Vols. IV., V., and VIII, and Series 3, Vol. V, which will
show that as soon as Captain Wirz went on duty at Anderson-
ville his very first act was to try and better the conditions of
the prisoners as to rations and the sanitary surroundings of

21

the hospital. See extracts from Wirz's letters to Capt. R. D.
Chapman, acting adjutant of the post:

" 'The bread which is issued to the prisoners is of such in-
ferior quality, consisting of fully one-sixth husks, that it is
almost unfit for use, and is causing dysentery and bowel trou-
ble. I wish the commissary of the post to be notified of this so
as to have the meal bolted or some other contrivance arranged
to sift the meal before using it.

" 'Then there is a great deficiency of buckets. Rations of
rice, beans, vinegar, and molasses cannot be issued to the pris-
oners without buckets and about 8,000 men in the stockade have
nothing of the sort. I understand these buckets can be se-
cured in Columbus, Ga.

" 'Hoping you will give this your earliest attention, I "remain,
" 'Most respectfully your obedient servant,

" 'H. WIRZ.' "

Then another extract from a letter to Colonel Chandler :

"Allow me to point out some items which if possible ought to
be attended to. We have an inadequate supply of tools to put
the interior of the prison in proper condition. We need axes,
wheelbarrows and other supplies. We need lumber, lime, iron,
and sheet iron for baking pans. The prison has been lately
added to but badly overcrowded. Almost daily new prisoners
arrive and these internal improvements are of the utmost im-
portance and will soon come to a halt for want of room. As
long as 30,000 men are confined in one enclosure proper policing
is altogether impossible."

Again, on page 147, Page says :

"Scurvy is now fearfully prevalent. Hundreds are dying
daily. It is caused by not having proper food — a change of
food is absolutely necessary to relieve scurvy.

"Captain Wirz was absent on sick leave for the month of
August. Lieutenant Davis was in command and he did all that
he could to alleviate the suffering. From all sides could be
heard from men who had said derogatory things of Wirz, 'I
wish the Captain was back again.' "

Dr. T. H. Mann, a prisoner, in his book called A Yankee in
Andersonville, which appeared in Century Magazine, July,
1890, said:

"Our guard used us well, and I would say here that during
our whole captivity we always experienced good usage from this
old soldier."

22

Mr. Page says:

"Dr. Mann, in his book, praised the corn beer made at An-
dersonville, but failed to tell that Captain Wirz was responsible
for manufacturing it, and he made it to quench the thirst of
the prisoners. I know this to be a fact."

In General Grant's Memoirs it is stated:

"The exchange of prisoners would mean a reinforcement of
the rebel army. An exchanged rebel soldier behind barricades
and fortifications fighting on the defensive was equivalent to
three Union soldiers attacking him."

"The refusal to exchange was Stanton's policy and if this
atrocious and inhuman doctrine is any way meritorious, the
War Secretary is entitled to the credit." Page's Andersonville,
page 109.

Hear what Chas. A. Dana, Assistant Secretary of War, has
to say in the New York Sun:

"It was not Jefferson Davis or any subordinate or associate
of his who should now be condemned for the horrors of Ander-
sonville. We were responsible ourselves for the continued de-
tention of our captives in misery, starvation and sickness in
the South."

Again he says :

"Of the charge of cruelty to bur prisoners so often brought
against Mr. Davis, and reiterated by Mr. Blaine in his speech in
the United States Senate, we think Mr. Davis must be held
altogether acquitted. " (The Wrongs of History Righted, p. 31) .

Mr. Edwin M. Stanton, in his statistics, gives 6,000 more of
Southern men in Northern prisons died than did Northern men
in Southern prisons.

General Butler, in his book, page 592, says :
"The reason for not exchanging prisoners was this, the ex-
change would strengthen General Lee's army and greatly pro-
long the war."

General Grant said:

"If we hold these men caught, they are no more than dead
men, as the time of enlistment is over. If we liberate them we
will have to fight on until the whole South is exterminated."

Mr. Dana said:

"This proves that it was not the Confederate authorities
who insisted upon keeping our prisoners in distress, want, and
disease, but the commander-in-chief of our armies."

It would seem no greater proof would be needed to vindicate

23

the Confederate Government, President Davis, the military of-
ficers of the Confederate Army who were in charge of Ander-
sonville, and Henry Wirz, the superintendent, and to vindicate
them by the testimony of the North.

The truth about the exchange can be found in Page's History,
page 895, and in Series II, Vol. VII, Official Records of The
War of the Rebellion.

General Grant's letter to Secretary Stanton is all-con-
vincing :

"Hon. Edwin M. Stanton,
"Secretary of War.
"Please inform General Foster that under no circumstances
will he be authorized to exchange prisoners of war.

"Exchanges simply reinforce the enemy at once, whilst we
do not get the benefit for more than two or three months and-^
then lose the majority entirely.

"I telegraph this from just hearing that 500 or 600 prisoners
have been sent to General Foster.

"U. 8. GRANT,
"Lieut.-General. "
"City Point, Va., Aug. 21, 1864."

Brigadier- General T. Seymour, U. S. Volunteers, was ap-
pointed to visit Andersonville and other Southern prisons.
This is what he wrote:

"The Southern authorities are exceedingly desirous of an
immediate change of prisoners. Their urgency is unbounded,
but it is the poorest policy for our Government to deliver to
them 40,000 prisoners better fed and clothed than ever before
in their lives, in good condition for the field, while the United
States received in return an equal number of men worn out
with privations and neglect, barely able to walk and drawing
their last breath, and unfit to take the field as soldiers. It is
much wiser to leave the prisoners where they are.

"T. SEYMOUR,
"Brig.-Gen. U. S. Volunteers."

Page's History of Andersonville, page 112:

"A gang of evil-disposed persons among the prisoners of
war at this post, having banded themselves together for the
purpose of assaulting, murdering, and robbing their fellow
prisoners, and having already committed all of these deeds, it
becomes necessary to adopt measures to protect the lives and
property of the prisoners against the acts of these men, and in

24

order that this may be accomplished, the well-disciplined pris-
oners may, and are thereby authorized to establish a court
among themselves for trial and punishment of such offenders."

General Winder, the commander, felt this order necessary.
Cases were, reported where the prisoners would choke each other
to death during the night to get the money and clothing from
them.

One hundred and seventy-five were arrested by the court
established and six were charged with murder of first degree
and they were hanged, July 11, 1864. Their names can be
found on pages 113, 114, of Page's History.

On the day of trial Captain Wirz came in riding his grey
horse at the head of the six doomed men, heavily guarded. At
the foot of the platform he turned these men over to a court of
their own men, saying :

"Here men, I return these prisoners to you in as good con-
dition as I received them. I have carried out my part of the
agreement, and now whatever you may do with these men I
must remind you that the Confederate Government is in no
way responisble. You will do with them as you please, and
may God have mercy on you and them." (Page 115).

After this, execution threats were made by the prisoners to
the leading men of court and the' hangman, so Wirz was asked
to parole those whose life was in danger, and he did.

Page says the other histories that have been written of An-
dersonville by prisoners do not give truthfully or fully this
history, nor do they give Wirz the credit for bringing about
order and stopping the murders among the prisoners them-
selves. They do not mention the many kind acts of Wirz to the
prisoners — they are not fair histories and should not be be-
lieved. These histories say that the money and valuables taken
from the marauders were confiscated by the men of the court
and used for themselves. Page says this is false — for every-
thing was turned over to Wirz for safe keeping to be given
back to the owners, and this was done as far as he knew. (Page
122).

"July brought unusual suffering to the prisoners on account
of the hot weather, ' ' Page says on page 126 :

"I met Wirz while on one of his visits to the hospital. He
stopped his horse, and I explained briefly the situation and the
condition of my comrades. Said I, 'If something is not done
for them at once, in a few days death will be the result,' and

25

this is the substance of his reply: 'I am doing all I can. I am
handicapped and pressed for rations. I am exceeding my au-
thority now in issuing supplies. I am blamed by the soldiers for
all this suffering. They do not realize I am a subordinate, gov-
erned by orders of my commanding officer. Why, sir, my own
men are on short rations. The best that I can do is to see that
your sick comrades are removed to the hospital. God help you,
I cannot.,' and his eyes were filled with tears. I was crying
myself. I saw how deeply he felt. He was pale and emaciated.
His wounded arm was troubling him — he said nothing about
the fact that gangrene had set in. I said to myself, 'Here is a
man obliged to endure the odium resulting from the sins of
others.' " (Pages 126, 127).

Wirz was obliged to have a sick leave for the month of Au-
gust.

The prisoners called a mass meeting July 20th and drew up
a petition to send to the Federal Government. (See page 128
for resolutions). A committee was paroled and allowed to go
in person to intercede. The names of these men were :

Edward Bates, Co. K, 42nd N. Y.

H. C. Higgenson,' Co. K, 19th 111.

Prescott Tracey, Co. G, 82nd N. Y.

Sylvester Noirot, Co. B, 5th N. J.

They were paroled for this purpose. Three returned to re-
port failure. Some of the false histories say no such resolu-
tions were ever sent. Melvin Grisby tells of it. Page says he
was positive about this, although not present himself, and in
speeches at the mass meeting, Stanton was painted as black as
some of those historians later painted Wirz. (Page 130). One
prisoner raised his arm and shouted, "I hold Secretary Stanton
personally responsible for my misery ! ' '

As soon as Wirz took command of the camp he paroled all
the drummer boys — about fifty in number. He did this to
protect these young boys from the hardships of camp life.

Young Powell was detailed as orderly. He was called Little
Red Cap and later Wirz's aide-de-camp. He was very faithful
and devoted to Wirz.

Some one asked Wirz why he did not wear his sword and sash
in camp. He replied, "The poor fellows have enough remind-
ers of war without my parading with sash and sword."

26

Correspondence Regarding Commander of Ander-

sonville Prison, Who Was Tried and Executed

in Washington in 1865. Championed by

Late Louis Schade

(From The Washington Post).

A great deal of interest was expressed yesterday among some
of the old inhabitants of "Washington regarding the protest en-
tered at Minneapolis by the G-. A. R. Convention against the
erection of a monument in memory of Captain Henry Wirz,
commander of Andersonville Prison during the Civil War, The
trial and execution of Wirz took place in Washington in 1865,
and the intense feeling which characterized this trial is still
remembered.

A reporter of The Post called on H. R. Schade, son of the
late Louis Schade, defender of Wirz at his trial. Mr. Schade,
when asked what he thought of the action of the Gr. A. R., said
he was, in a measure, surprised at the position taken by the old
veterans regarding this matter; he called attention to the fact
that a monument was about to be erected at Harpers Ferry in
memory of John Brown, and no protest had been heard from
the South in regard to the erection of such a monument.

Mr. Schade stated that he had for some months been in cor-
respondence with a number of prominent Georgians, and that
he was now preparing a magazine article pertaining to the trial
of Wirz, and that the proceeds of this article would be con-
tributed to the Wirz monument fund. He added, however, that
he did not care to express an opinion regarding the trial and
execution of Wirz, but preferred to let the statement issued
by his father, made in 1867, and a letter written by Jefferson
Davis in 1888, speak for themselves. He thought that the let-
ters addressed to President Johnson and to his father by Wirz
were in themselves sufficient defense; he thereupon furnished
the reporter copies of these letters. The letters were as follows :

27

MR. SCHADE'S OPEN LETTER.

"Washington, D. C, April 4, 1867.
"To the American public:

"Intending to leave the United States for some time, I feel
it my duty before I start to fulfill in part a promise which, a
few hours before his death, I gave to my unfortunate client,
Captain Wirz, who was executed at Washington on the 10th
day of November, 1885. Protesting up to the last moment his
innocence of those monstrous crimes with which he was charged,
he received my word that, having failed to save him from a
felon's doom, I would as long as I lived do everything in my
power to clear his memory. I did that the more readily as I
was then already perfectly convinced that he suffered wrong-
fully. Since that time his unfortunate children, both here and
in Europe, have constantly implored me to wipe out the terri-
ble stains which now cover the name of their father.

"Though the times do not seem propitious for obtaining full
justice; yet, considering that man is mortal, I will, before en-
tering upon a perilous voyage, perform my duty to those inno-
cent orphans, and also to myself. I will now give a brief state-
ment of the causes which led to the arrest and execution of
Captain Wirz. In April, 1865, President Johnson issued a
proclamation stating that from evidence in the possession of the
Bureau of Military Justice, it appeared that Jefferson Davis
was implicated in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, and
for that reason the President offered a reward of $100,000 for
the capture of the then fugitive ex-President of the Southern
Confederacy.* That testimony has since been found to be en-
tirely false and a mere fabrication, and the suborner, Conover,
is now under sentence in the jail in this city, the two perjurers
whom he suborned having turned state's evidence against him,
whilst the individual by whom Conover was suborned has not
yet been brought to justice.

ENEMIES IN HIGH PLACES.

'"Certain high and influential enemies of Jefferson Davis,
either then already aware of the character of the testimony of
those witnesses, or not thinking their testimony quite sufficient
to hang Mr. Davis, expected to find the wanting material in
the terrible mortality of Union prisoners at Andersonville.
Orders were issued accordingly to arrest a subaltern officer,
Captain Wirz, a poor, friendless, and wounded prisoner of war
(he being included in the surrender of General Johnston), and,
besides, a foreigner by birth. On the 9th day of May he was
placed in the Old Capitol Prison at Washington, and from that
time the greater part of the Northern press busily engaged in

* A copy of the paper containing this offer is in Athens, Ga.

28

transforming the unfortunate man, in the eyes of the Northern
people, into such a monster that it became almost impossible for
him^to obtain counsel. Even his countryman, the Swiss consul
general, publicly refused to accept money or defray the ex-
penses of the trial. He was doomed before he was heard, and
even the' permission to be heard according to law was denied
him. To increase the excitement, and give eclat to the proceed-
ing, and to influence still more the public mind, the trial took
place under the very dome of the Capitol of the nation.

"A military commission, presided over by one of the most
arbitrary and despotic generals in the country, was formed, and
the paroled prisoner of war, his wounds still open, was so feeble
that he had to recline during the trial on a sofa. How that trial
was conducted the whole wTorld knows. The enemies of gener-
osity and humanity believed it to be a sure thing to get at
Jefferson Davis. Therefore, the first charge was that of con-
spiracy between Wirz, Jefferson Davis, Seddon, Howell Cobb,
R. B. Winder, R. R. Stevenson, and a number of others to kill
the Union prisoners.

"The trial lasted for three months, but, fortunately for the
bloodthirsty instigators, not a particle of evidence was pro-
duced showing 'the existence of such a conspiracy, yet Captain
Wirz was found guilty of that charge. Having thus failed,
another effort w^ts made. On the night before the execution of
the prisoner, a telegram was sent to the Northern press from
this city, stating that Wirz had made important disclosures to
General L. C. Baker, the well known detective, implicating Jef-
ferson Davis, and that the confession would probably be given
to the public. On the same evening some parties came to the
confessor of Wirz, Rev. Father Boyle, and also to me, one of
them informing me that a high Cabinet officer wished to assure
Wirz that if he would implicate Jefferson Davis with the atroc-
ities committed at Andersonville his sentence would be com-
muted. The messenger, or whoever he was, requested me to in-
form Wirz of this. In the presence of Father Boyle, I told
Wirz next morning what had happened.

WIRZ REFUSES BRIBE OF LIFE.

"The captain simply and quietly replied: 'Mr. Schade, you
know that I have always told you that I do not know anything
about Jefferson Davis. He had no connection with me as to
what was done at Andersonville. If I knew anything about
him, I would not become a traitor against him, or anybody else,
even to save my life.' He likewise denied that he had ever
made any statement whatever to General Baker. Thus ended
the attempt to suborn Captain Wirz against Jefferson Davis.
That alone shows what a man he was. How many of his de-

29

famers would have done the same? With his wounded arm in
a sling, the poor paroled prisoner mounted, two hours later,
the scaffold. His last words were that he died innocent; and
so he did.

"The 10th day of November, 1865, will indeed be a black
stain upon the pages of American history. To weaken the
effect of his declaration of innocence, and of the noble manner
in which Wirz died, a telegram was manufactured here and sent
North, stating that on the 27th day of October Mrs. Wirz (who
actually was 900 miles on that day away from Washington)
had been prevented by that Stantonian Deus ex machina, Gen-
eral L. C. Baker, from poisoning her husband. Thus, on the
same day when the unfortunate family lost their husband and
father, a cowardly and atrocious attempt was made to blacken
their character also. On the next day I branded the whole as
an infamous lie, and since then I have never heard of it again,
though it emanated from a brigadier general of the United
States army.

"All those who were charged with having conspired with
Captain Wirz have since been released, except Jefferson Davis,
the prisoner of the American ' Castle Chillon. ' Captain Winder
was let off without a trial, and if any of the others have been
tried, which I do not know, certainly none of them has been
hung. As Captain Wirz could not conspire alone, nobody will
now, in view of that important fact, consider him guilty of
that charge. So much, then, for charge No. 1.

THE ANDERSONVILLE CHARGES.

"As to charge No. 2, to wit, murder, in violation of the laws
and customs of war, I do not hesitate to declare that about 145
out 160 witnesses on both sides declared during the trial that
Captain Wirz never murdered or killed any Union prisoners
with his own hands or otherwise. All those witnesses (about
twelve or fifteen) who testified that they saw Captain Wirz kill
a prisoner have sworn falsely, abundant proofs of that asser-
tion being in existence. The hands of Captain Wirz are clear
of the blood of prisoners of war. He would certainly have at
least intimated to me a knowledge of the alleged murders with
which he was charged. In almost all cases, no names of the
alleged murdered men could be given, and where it was done,
no such persons could be identified. The terrible scene in court
when he was confronted with one of the witnesses, and the
latter insisted that Wirz was the man who killed a certain Union
prisoner, which irritated the prisoner so much that he almost
fainted, will still be remembered. That man (Grey) swore
falsely, and God alone knows what the poor, innocent prisoner
must have suffered at that moment. That scene was depicted
and illustrated in the Northern newspapers as if Wirz had

30

broken down on account of his guilt. Seldom has a mortal suf-
fered more than that friendless and forsaken man. Fearing
lest this communication should be too long, I will merely speak
of the principal and most intelligent of those false witn esses,
who testified to individual murder on the part of Captain Wirz.

A PERJURED WITNESS.

"Upon his testimony the judge advocate, in his final argu-
ment, laid particular stress, on account of his intelligence. This
witness prepared also pictures of the alleged cruelties of Wirz,
which were handed to the commission, and are now on record,
copies of which appeared at the time in Northern illustrated
papers. He swore that his name was Felix de la Baume, and
represented himself as a Frenchman and grandnephew of Mar-
quis Lafayette. After having so well testified and shown so
much zeal, he received a recommendation signed by the mem-
bers of the commission. On the 11th day of October, before
the taking of the testimony was concluded, he was appointed to
a clerkship in the Department of the Interior. This occurred
while one of the witnesses for the defense (Duncan) was ar-
rested in open court and placed in prison before he had testi-
fied. After execution of Captain Wirz, some of the Germans
of Washington recognized in de la Baume a deserter from the
Seventh New York (Steuben's) Regiment, whose name was not
de la Baume, but Felix Oeser, a- native of Saxony. They went
to Secretary Harlan, and he dismissed the impostor, the im-
portant witness in the Wirz trial, on the 21st day of November,
eleven days after the execution. Nobody who is acquainted
w,ith the 'Conover testimony, in consequence of which the Pres-
ident of the United States was falsely induced to place a re-
ward of $100,000 upon the head of an innocent man, will be
astonished at the disclosures of the character of testimony be-
fore military commissions. So much for charge 2.

LACK OP MEDICINE BLAMED.

"If. from twelve to fifteen witnesses could be found who were
willing to testify to so many acts of murder on the part of Wirz,
there must certainly have been no lack of such who were willing
to swear to minor offenses. Such was the unnatural state of the
public mind against the prisoner at that time that such men
regarded themselves and were regarded as heroes, after having
testified in the manner above described; while, on the other
hand, the witnesses for the defense were intimidated, particu-
larly after one of them had been arrested.

"But who is responsible for the many lives that were lost at
Andersonville and in the Southern prisons? That question has
not fully been settled, but history will tell on whose heads the
guilt for those sacrificed hecatombs of human beings is to be

31

placed. It was certainly not the fault of poor Captain Wirz,
when, in consequence of medicines having been declared contra-
band of war by the North, the Union prisoners died for the
want of the same. How often have we read during the war that
ladies going South had been arrested and placed in the old
Capitol Prison by the Union authorities because some quinine
or other medicine had been found concealed in their clothing?
Our navy prevented the ingress of medical stores from the sea-
side, and our troops repeatedly destroyed drug stores and even
the supplies of private physicians in the South. Thus, the
scarcity of medicines became general all over the South.

PROVISIONS VERY SCARCE.

"That provisions in the South were scarce will astonish no-
body, when it is remembered how the war was carried on, Gen.
Sheridan boasted in his report that, in the Shenandoah Valley
alone, he burnt over 2,000 barns, filled with wheat and corn,
and the mills in the whole tract of country; that he destroyed
all factories of cloth, and killed or drove every animal — even
the poultry — that could contribute to human sustenance. And
these desolations were repeated in different parts of the South,
and so thoroughly that last month, two years after the end of
the war, Congress had to appropriate $1,000,000 to save the
people of those regions from actual starvation. The destruction
of railroads and other means of transportation by which food
could be supplied by abundant districts to those without it in-
creased the difficulties in giving sufficient food to our prison-
ers. The Confederate authorities, aware of their inability to
maintain their prisoners, informed the Northern agents of the
great mortality, and urgently requested that the prisoners
should be exchanged, even without regard to the surplus which
the Confederates had on the exchange roll from former ex-
changes— that is, man for man. But our War Department did
not consent to an exchange. They did not want to 'exchange
skeletons for healthy men.'

"Finally, wThen all hopes of exchange were gone, Colonel
Ould, the Confederate commissioner of exchange, offered, early
in August, 1864, to deliver up all Federal sick and wounded,
without requiring an equivalent in return, and pledged that
the number would amount to 10,000 or 15,000 ; and if it did not,
he would make up that number from well men. Although this
offer was made in August, the transportation was not sent for
them (to Savannah) until December, although he urged and
implored (to use his own words) that haste should be made.
During that very period most of the deaths at Andersonville
occurred. Congressman Covode, who lost two sons in Southern
prisons, will do well if he inquires who those 'skeletons' were
which the honorable Secretary of War (Stanton) did .not want

32

to exchange for healthy men. If he does he will hereafter per-
haps be less bitter against the people of the South.

' militarism' condemned.

"We used justly to proclaim in former times that ours was
the 'land of the free and the home of the brave ' But when
one-half of the country is shrouded in despotism which now
only finds a parallel in Russian Poland, and when our generals
and soldiers quietly permit that their former adversaries shall
be treated worse than the Helots of old, brave soldiers though
they may be, who, when the forces and resources of both sec-
tions were more equal, have not seldom seen the backs of our
best generals, not to speak of such men as Butler and consorts,
then we may question whether the Star-iSpangled Banner still
waves ' o 'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. '

"A noble and brave soldier never permits his antagonist to
be calumniated and trampled upon after an honorable surren-
der. Besides, notwithstanding the decision of the highest legal
tribunal in the land, that military commissions are unconstitu-
tional, and earnest and able protestatons of President Johnson,
and the sad results of military commissions, yet such military
commissions are again established by recent legislation of Con-
gress all over the suffering and starving South. History is
just, and, as Mr. Lincoln used to say, 'We cannot escape his-
tory.' Puritanical hypocrisy, self-adulation, and self-glorifica-
tion will not save these enemies of liberty from their just pun-
ishment. Not even a Christian burial of the remains of Captain
Wirz has been allowed by Secretary Stanton. They still lie
side by side with those of another and acknowledged victim of
military commissions, the unfortunate Mrs. Surratt, in the yard
of the former jail of this city. If anybody should desire to
reply to this, I politely beg that it may be done before the 1st
of May next, as I shall leave the country, to return in the fall.
After that day, letters will reach me in care of the American
legation, or Mr. Benedetto Bolzani, Leipzig street, No. 38 Ber-
lin, Prussia. "LOUIS SCHADE,

"Attorney at Law."

It would seem after this overwhelming testimony from the
North no other would be needed.

The South made every effort to send the prisoners home to
relieve the congested condition at the prison, and to place them
where proper care should be taken of them, and medicine ad-
ministered, but the Federal authorities refused every offer.

(See General Lee's request for exchange).

33

(See Alexander Stephens' request for exchange).

(See Colonel Ould's offer to fill a vessel with sick or well
prisoners without exchange).

(See petition of the paroled prisoners).

(See effort by Confederate Government to send prisoners
home without any exchange).

(See order to Adj. John C. Rutherford to march a body of
these prisoners across the Florida line and to leave them).
Series II., Vol. VIII., The War of Rebellion.

All facts can be found in the Official Records of The War of
the Rebellion, Series P., II., IV.

PRAISE FROM JEFFERSON DAVIS.

"Beauvoir, Miss., October 15, 1888.
"Louis Schade, Esq.

"My Dear Sir: I have often felt with poignant regret that
the Southern public have never done justice to the martyr,
Major Wirz. With a wish to do something to awake due con-
sideration for his memory, I write to ask you to give the cir-
cumstances, as fully as may be agreeable to you, of the visit
made to him the night before his execution, when he was tempt-
ed by the offer of a pardon if he would criminate me, and thus
exonerate himself of charges of which he was innocent, and
with which I had no connection.

"Respectfully and truly yours,

"JEFFERSON DAVIS."

WIRZ THANKS MR. SCHADE.

"Old Capitol Prison,

"Washington, D. C, Nov. 10, 1865.
"Mr. Louis Schade.

"Dear Sir: It is no doubt the last time that I address my-
self to you. What I have said to you often as often I repeat.
Accept my thanks, my sincere, heartfelt thanks, for all you
have done for me. May God reward you, I cannot. I still have
something more to ask of you, and I am confident you will not
refuse to receive my dying request. Please help my poor fam-
ily— my dear wife and children. War, crudest, has swept every-
thing from me, and today my wife and children are beggars.
My life is demanded as an atonement. I am willing to give it,
and hope that after a while, I will be judged differently from
what I am now. If any one ought to come to the relief of my
family, it is the people of the South, for whose sake I have sac-

34

rifled all. I know you will excuse me for troubling you again.
Farewell, dear sir. May Giod bless you.

"Yours thankfully,

"H. WIRZ."

WIRZ APPEALS TO THE PRESIDENT.

"Old Capitol Prison,

"November 6, 1865.
"To the President of the United States.

"Mr. President: With a trembling hand, with a heart filled
with the most conflicting emotions, and with a spirit hopeful
one moment and despairing the next, I have taken the liberty
of addressing you. When I consider your exalted position;
when I. think for a moment that in your hands rests the weal
or woe of millions — yea, the peace of the world — well may I
pause to call to my aid courage enough to lay before you my
humble petition. I have heard you spoken of as a man willing
and ready at all times and under all circumstances to do jus-
tice, and that no man, however humble he may be, need fear to
approach you; and, therefore, have come to the conclusion that
you will allow me the same privilege as extended to hundreds
and thousands of others. It is not my desire to enter into an
argument as to the merits of my case. In your hands, if I am
rightfully informed, are all the records and evidences bearing
upon this point, and it would be presumption on my part to say
one word about it. There is only one thing that I ask, and it
is expressed in few words : Pass your sentence.

' ' For six weary months I have been a prisoner ; for six months
my name has been in the mouth of every one ; by thousands I
am considered a monster of cruelty, a wretch that ought not
to pollute the earth any longer. Truly, when I pass in my mind
over the testimony given, I sometimes almost doubt my own
existence. I doubt that I am the Captain Wirz spoken of. I
doubt that such a man ever lived, such as he is said to be ; and I
am inclined to call on the mountains to fall upon and bury me
and my shame. But oh, sir, while I wring my hands in mute
and hopeless despair, there speaks a small but unmistakable
voice within me that says: 'Console thyself, thou knowest thy
innocence. Fear not; if men hold thee guilty, God does not,
and a new life will pervade your being.' Such has been the
state of my mind for weeks and months, and no punishment
that human ingenuity can inflict could increase my distress.

GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH.

"The pangs of death are short, and therefore I humbly pray
that you will pass your sentence without delay. Give me death
or liberty. The one I do not fear; the other I crave. If you

35

believe me guilty of the terrible charges that have been heaped
upon me, deliver me to the executioner. If not guilty, in your
estimation, restore me to liberty and life. A life such as I am
now living is no life. I breathe, sleep, eat, but it is only the
mechanical functions I perform, and nothing more. Whatever
you decide I shall accept. If condemned to death, I shall suffer
without a murmur. If restored to liberty, I will thank and
bless you for it.

"I would not convey the idea to your mind, Mr. President,
that I court death. Life is sweet ; however lowly or humble
man's station may be, he clings to life. His soul is filled with
awe when he contemplates the future, the unknown land where
the judgment is before which he will have to give an account of
his words, thoughts, and deeds. "Well may I remember, too,
that I have erred like all other human beings. But of those
things for which I may perhaps suffer a violent death, I am not
guilty ; and God judge me'. I have said all that I wished to say.
Excuse my boldness in addressing you, but I could not help it.
I cannot bear this suspense much longer. May God bless you,
and be with you; your task is a great and fearful one. In life
or death I shall pray for you, and for the prosperity of the
country in which I have passed some of my happiest as well
as darkest days. "Respectfullv,

"H. WIRZ."

GENERAL TAYLOR'S STATEMENT.

Lieutenant General Richard Taylor, son of President Zachary
Taylor and brother-in-law of President Davis, has this to say
of Wirz, in his very interesting book, Destruction and Recon-
struction:

"In this journey through Georgia, (1864) at Andersonville,
I passed in sight of a large stockade inclosing prisoners of war.
The train stopped for a few minutes, and there entered the
carriage, to speak to me, a man who said his name was Wirz,
and that he was in charge of the prisoners near by. He com-
plained of the inadequacy of his guard and of the want of sup-
plies, as the adjacent region was sterile and thinly populated.
He also said that the prisoners were suffering from cold, were
destitute of blankets, and that he had not wagons to supply
fuel. He showed me duplicates of requisitions and appeals for
relief that he had made to different authorities and these I in-
dorsed in the strongest terms possible, hoping to accomplish
some good. I know nothing of this .Wirz, whom I then met for
the first and only time, but he appeared to be earnest in his
desire to mitigate the conditions of his prisoners. There can be
but little doubt that his execution was a 'sop' to the passions
of the 'many-headed.' "

36

This is the testimony given by Dr. Jos. Jones, a surgeon sent
to investigate the conditions existing at Andersonville Prison,
and this portion of his report was mutilated and never read at
the trial of Wirz.*

"Camp Sumter, Andersonville,

"September 17, 1864.
"Captain H. Wirz.

"You will permit Surgeon Joseph Jones, who has orders
from the Surgeon-General, to visit the sick within the stockade
to make certain investigations.

"By direction of GEN. WINDER,

"Assistant Adjutant General "
War of Rebellion, Series II., Vol. VIII., p. 589.

SURGEON JONES' REPORT (Extracts).

"I carefully analyzed the waters; found them all remark-
ably pure. The well of water upon the summit of the hill upon
which the Confederate General Hospital is situated, is of re-
markable purity, and in fact it may be considered as equal to
the purest water in the world. The waters of the Sweetwater
Creek before entering into the stockade where the Federal
prisoners are confined, are equally pure.

"The bakery is situated near this stream, and while one of
the Confederate regiments is. camped on the hill above, these
sources of contamination is too far distant to affect the constant
flowing waters.

"The water from all sources flowing into the stockade is
remarkably pure, but that flowing from the stockade are loaded
with filth and emit a sickening odor, disgusting and overpow-
ering.

"The vegetation of the highlands and hills indicate poverty
of soil. The lowgrounds and swamps bordering the streams are
clothed with pines and oaks of stunted growth. Prom this
examination there is no recognizable source of disease in the
soil and waters of Andersonville.

"After examination I was impressed with the belief that
this region of country was as healthy as any region of the
world situated in the same latitude and at the same elevation
above the sea and that this locality chosen by the Confeder-
ates for the confinement of Federal prisoners, was much more
salubrious than most of the region in Georgia lying to the south
and southeast of it.

The heat caused the rapid decomposition of filthy matter in
the stockade area, and this may have been a cause of debility —
but the awful mortality must have been due to other causes —

* See testimony given by Page's History, p. 15.

37

crowded condition and lack of medicine rather than to all the
elements of climate combined.

"No blame can be attached to the Confederate authorities
for this great mortality at Andersonville.

"In this collection of men from all parts of the civilized
world every phase of human character was represented. The
stronger preyed upon the weaker, and even the sick, who were
unable to defend themselves were robbed of their scanty sup-
plies of food and clothing. Dark stories were afloat of men
murdered at night, strangled to death by their comrades for
clothing or money. I heard a wounded Federal prisoner accuse
his nurse, a fellow prisoner, of having inoculated his arm with
gangrene in order to destroy his life to fall heir to his clothing.

The haggard, distressed countenances of these miserable, com-
plaining, dejected, living skeletons, crying for medical aid and
food, and cursing their Government for its refusal to exchange
prisoners, and the ghastly corpses, with their glazed eye-balls
staring up into vacant space, with flies swarming down open
mouths formed a picture of helpless, hopeless misery which it
would be impossible to portray by word or brush. As many
men as possible were paroled and allowed to follow trades.

"The police and hygiene of the hospital was defective in the
extreme, but no blame should be attached to the Confederate
Government, to the commanding officer or to the Confederate
guards.

"Scurvy was not confined to the prisoners. I saw a well-
defined case of scurvy in a surgeon in care of one of the hos-
pitals."

This report of Dr. Joseph Jones may be found in full in
Series II., Vol. VIII., War of Rebellion, pp. 590-632.

A UNION SOLDIER'S TRIBUTE TO MAJOR WIRZ.

(Macon News, March, 1907).

A letter received by Mrs. L. G. Young, wife of General L. G.
Young, recently, throws light on the conduct of Major Wirz
at Andersonville from a standpoint entirely different from that
of the many Northern histories that have been written, and of
the evidence that came out of the trial of Major Wirz at Wash-
ington.

The letter is the outcome of an article that a gentleman in
Helena, Mont., read in The Confederate Veteran, in which it
was stated that Mrs. Young was the originator of the movement
to erect a monument at Andersonville to the memory of Major
Wirz. The gentleman is now writing a history of Anderson-

38

ville Prison, in conjunction with a friend of his who was there
during seven months of the time that Major Wirz was charged
with having accomplished all of the foul deeds charged to him.
The letter is as follows:

"Dear Madam: By The Confederate Veteran for October
I see that you were the lady who took the initiative in erecting
a monument to Major Wirz and I take the liberty of writing
you for information.
■ "A friend of mine, an influential and respected citizen of
Montana, was for seven months a prisoner at Andersonville.
He was orderly sergeant in a Michigan regiment when captured,
and some twelve or fifteen years ago he told me that Wirz was
a kind-hearted man who did everything in his power to alleviate
the condition of the prisoners under him.

"This was a revelation to me. My friend had sort of charge
over about 100 of the prisoners, and was also one of a committee
who frequently waited on Major Wirz. He told me that twice
Wirz burst into tears when told of the suffering of the prison-
ers. Once, late in 1864, Wirz said, 'God help you, I cannot.
What can I do? I cannot make provisions. My own men have
not enough to eat. They are now on short rations.'

"For years I have been after my friend to write his version
of Andersonville. A year ago he consented to do so. He and I
are now at the work. He is a prominent member of the G. A. R.
I have recently collected excellent data from The Confederate
Veteran*

DAUGHTER OF MAJOR WIRZ.

"The contradictory accounts in Glazier's, Kellogg 's, Spen-
cer's and Urban 's (Union Soldiers) histories of Andersonville
furnishes good material. Ours will also 'be from a Northern
standpoint. There will, however, be this difference: ours will
be a true account. Those other histories were untruthful.

"Will you please kindly inform me if Major Wirz's daugh-
ter is still living, and if so where does she live?

"Do you know the address of Dr. R. Randolph Stevenson
who wrote The Southern Side of Andersonville f I have tried,
but cannot get the book.

"Dear Mrs. Young, any information that you can give me
I assure you will be most thankfully received. You might be
able to give me the address of parties who were cognizant of
the facts, those who were in close touch with Major Wirz.

! ' Our Northern historians claim that Wirz put men to death,
but the very fact that prisoners themselves were obliged to exe-
cute six of their fellow prisoners is presumptive evidence that
death had to be resorted to to maintain order and discipline.

* This book was The "True History of Andersonville" by Page and Haley.

39

WIRZ THE REAL MAN.

"During" the last dozen years my friend has repeatedly told
me that while confined at Andersonville — and he was there
during the latter part of it — he never heard nor never knew
that Wirz personally killed a prisoner, and that the 'killing'
only came out at the trial. Said he : ' The Wirz I knew at An-
dersonville and the Wirz tried at Washington were two differ-
ent persons.' There's a volume in that.

"The title of our book will be Major Wirz Vindicated, or
Andersonville As It Was, or perhaps, Fact, Not Fiction of An-
dersonville. We have not yet determined what the title will
be."

The letter was signed by M. L. Haley, No. 819 Fifth Avenue,
Helena, Mont., and an answer will be sent by Mrs. Young,
giving all the information possible.

This letter, coming as it does from the close friend of a man
who went through the enforced horrors of the Confederate
prison at Andersonville, telling of the conditions there that were
not the fault of Major Wirz, is highly prized here, and has been
turned over to the Daughters of the Confederacy.

Strong sentiment against the erection of the proposed monu-
ment at Americus instead of at Andersonville has arisen here,
and it has been positively decided that it will be erected at An-
dersonville as near the spot where the old prison stood as pos-
sible.

General Young, who is deeply interested in the movement, as
well as Mrs. Young, said yesterday that he had received letters
from all over the country asking that the monument be erected
as originally proposed, at Andersonville.

ANDERSONVILLE THE PLACE.

The proposed change in the location of the monument was
for the reason, it was argued, that if erected at Andersonville
it would be the cause of friction whenever Northern visitors
paid a visit to the cemetery where their dead were buried. It
was even stated that if the monument were erected at Anderson-
ville that it would be torn down, and threats were made to this
effect, anonymously.

But for all of these letters General Young says the place for
the monument is at Andersonville, and there it shall go. He
has received letters from a number of Confederate veterans
stating that if the monument were erected at Andersonville

40

they would volunteer their services to protect it so long as they
might live.

"Let them tear it down," said General Young. "We will
build it up again, and whenever they lay their fingers of desecra-
tion upon it the blood of the entire South will be aroused, and
a larger, grander and more appropriate shaft will be con-
structed to the memory of this much maligned man."

The History of the Monument to Henry Wirz
Erected at Andersonville, May 12, 1908

When the Georgia Division, U. D. C, held its Convention in
Macon, 1905, Mrs. A. B. Hull, presiding, a resolution was of-
fered by Mrs. Louis G. Young, of Savannah, that a monument
be erected to the memory of Henry Wirz in order to vindicate
him from the stain of judicial murder under false charges.

The resolutions read:

"Whereas, Captain Henry Wirz, Commandant of the Stock-
ade Prison at Andersonville, Ga., was judicially murdered under
false charges of cruelty to prisoners; and

"Whereas, After an interval of forty years these false
charges are reiterated on sign boards in public places, from the
pulpit and on monuments; Therefore, be it

"Resolved, That the United Daughters of the Confederacy in
Georgia use their influence to obtain the necessary funds to
place a suitable memorial to Captain Wirz in Andersonville,
Ga., upon which a statement of facts shall be engraved in en-
during brass or marble, showing that the Federal Government
was solely responsible for the condition of affairs at Anderson-
ville.

"Be it further resolved, That as four Federal prisoners were
permitted to go from Andersonville to Washington to plead for
an exchange of prisoners, and when refused a hearing returned
to prison, thus keeping their parole, a tribute to their honor,
be inscribed on said monument."

This resolution of Mrs. L. G. Young, of Savannah, was read
and aroused much interest.

Miss Benning moved that this Convention adopt the resolu-
tion of Mrs. Young, and that the Georgia Division at once take
the initiative, and erect at Andersonville a monument which

41

shall stand as the protest of the South against the slanders and
falsehoods already displayed at that place. Seconded by Mrs.
M. L. Johnson, and carried.

The Convention accepted the invitation of Americus for the
following year that they might visit Andersonville and see the
possibility of a site for the monument. Through the courtesy
of Mr. U. B. Harrold, one of the directors of the Central of
Georgia Railway, a special train was placed at the disposal of
the Convention.

The visit to Andersonville impressed more and more upon the
minds of the delegates the fact that the monument should be
raised, not in a spirit of bitterness but simply to vindicate the
man who had been so vilely slandered, and to show to the world
the truth of Southern history, and that Andersonville was the
logical place where a monument to Captain Wirz should be
placed.

Many pictures and placards placed in the National Cemetery
gave a very false idea of the truth concerning the matter.

The party visited the "Providence Spring," one of the
myths of history. There were some in the party who remember-
ed drinking water from this spring before 1861 and were amused
at the inscription put there near a beautiful white marble pa-
villion erected by the Women 's Relief 'Corps of the G. A. R. :

"A thunderbolt fell with Omnipotent ting,
And opened up the fountain of Providence Spring. "

A call was made by Mrs. Hull and committees appointed to
take charge of the work:

"The time has now come for the State to take up the work
endorsed by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, of Geor-
gia, at their Convention in Macon in October 1905, namely, the
building of a monument to Captain Henry Wirz, at Anderson-
ville, thereby in a measure vindicating the Confederate Govern-
ment from the charges of cruelty and neglect brought against
it by Northerners who are either ignorant of, or will not recog-
nize the truth.

"I come to you this first week in April asking concerted
action on your part towards raising funds for this memorial.
For this purpose I would suggest that a collection be taken on
Memorial Day, April 26th, in every city, town or village in
Georgia, where there is a Chapter of the United Daughters of

42

the Confederacy, a Camp of Confederate Veterans, Sons of Vet-
erans, or any public observance of Memorial Day. To this
end, I am sending this circular to every Chapter and Camp in
the State.

"Veterans and Sons of Veterans, will you not come to our
assistance? Have your Memorial Day Orator make reference
to this matter in his address. Take the collection in your halls,
at the gates of cemeteries, or wherever in your judgment re-
sults will be greatest. Surely our people will gladly give some-
thing to such a worthy cause.

"The cost of the proposed monument will not exceed $3,500
and I feel certain we will on this occasion almost, if not sooner,
realize this sum.

"If the object is not clear to you and you desire any infor-
mation on the subject, I will take pleasure in supplying you
with convincing historical data. The cause of the suffering and
mortality at Andersonville, however, cannot be better explained
than was done by your peerless statesman, Benjamin H. Hill,
in his famous speech before the U. S. House of Representatives
on January 11th, 1876, in reply to James G. Blaine's unjust
arraignment of the South, wherein he placed the responsibility
where it properly belongs, i. e., on the United States Govern-
ment in its refusal to exchange prisoners. (See Life of Ben-
jamin H. Hill, by his son, Benjamin H. Hill, Jr.)

"The Daughters of the Confederacy have never failed to re-
spond to a similar call from the Veterans and I feel confident
their appeal in this instance will not be in vain.

"Kindly forward all contributions to the Treasurer, Mrs. C.
C. Sanders, Gainesville, Ga., receipt of which will be promptly
and gratefully acknowledged.

"The following committees have been appointed for this
work:

"On Selection of Site — Mrs. J. E. Mathis, Americus, Chair-
man; Mrs. J. W. Wilcox, Macon; Mrs. James Taylor, Americus.

"On Inscriptions — Mrs. L. G. Young, Savannah, Chairman;
Miss Alice Baxter, Atlanta ; Mrs. Geo. W. Lamar, Savannah ;
Mrs. A. C. Benning Columbus.

"On Designs — Mrs. John E. Donalson, Bainbridge, Chair-
man; Mrs. Walter D. Lamar, Macon; Mrs. T. D. Caswell, Au-
gusta.

Advisory Board — Mr. L. M. Park, Atlanta, Chairman; Col.
T. M. Swift, Elberton; Col. J. H. Fannin, LaGrange; Capt. D.
G. Purse, Savannah; Capt. W. H. Harnett, Neal, Pike County;
Capt. John A. Cobb, Americus; Capt. R. E. Park, Atlanta; Mr
Hugh V. Washington, Macon; Mrs. H. W. Daniel, Savannah;

43

Mr. fm. Riley Boyd, Atlanta; Maj. John W. Tench, Gaines-
ville, Fla ; Genl. Bennet H. Young, Louisville, Ky.

' ' Wishing you a bright and inspiring celebration of Memorial
Day, I am, Fraternally yours,

"MRS. ALEXANDER B. HULL..
President Georgia Division U. D. C."

There arose quite a discussion as to where the monument
should be erected. Some favored Macon, some favored Ameri-
cus, and some Andersonville. It was decided to hold a special
session of the Georgia Division to decide the matter.

Several designs were presented for the monument but it was
left in the committee's hand to present the one thought most
suitable at the next Convention in Augusta, 1907. The one
chosen was from Clark Monumental Co., Augusta.

The Committee on Inscription suggested the following:

ON FRONT.

"In memory of Captain Henry Wirz, C. S. A. Born Zurich,
Switzerland, 1822. Sentenced to death and executed at Wash-
ington, D. C, Nov. 10, 1865.

"To rescue his name from the stigma attached to it by em-
bittered prejudice, this shaft is erected by the Georgia Division,
United Daughters of the Confederacy."

ON SECOND SIDE.

"Discharging his duty with such humanity as the harsh cir-
cumstances of the times, and the policy of the foe permitted,
Captain Wirz became at last the victim of a misdirected popular
clamor.

"He was arrested in time of peace, while under the protection
of a parole, tried by a military commission of a service to which
he did not belong and condemned to ignomious death on charges
of excessive cruelty to Federal prisoners. He indignantly spurn-
ed a pardon, proffered on condition that he would incriminate
President Davis and thus exonerate himself from charges of
which both were innocent."

THIRD SIDE.

"It is hard on our men held in Southern prisons not to ex-
change them, but it is humanity to those left in the ranks to fight
our battles. At this particular time to release all rebel pris-
oners North, would insure Sherman's defeat and would com-
promise our safety here.

"Aug. 18, 1864. ULYSSES S. GRANT."

44

FOURTH SIDE.

"When time shall have softened passion and prejudice, when
reason shall have stripped the mask of misrepresentation, then
justice holding even her scales, will require much of past cen-
sure and praise to change places.

"December, 1888. JEFFERSON DAVIS."

At the Augusta Convention, Miss Alice Baxter, of Atlanta,
was elected President of the Georgia Division. The next Con-
vention was held at Savannah. . The following is an extract from
Miss Baxter's speech regarding the Wirz Monument:

"We Georgia Daughters of the Confederacy have determined
upon a monument in memory of Captain Henry Wirz, both as
a vindication of the Confederacy's treatment of her prisoners
of war, and as a protest against the unfair trial and unjust
execution by the United States Government, of this unfortunate
man. The movement was undertaken during the administra-
tion of Mrs. A. B. Hull, through resolutions introduced by Mrs.
Mary L. Young, of Savannah; Miss Anna C. Benning, of Co-
lumbus; and Mrs. C. C. Sanders, of Gainesville. From the
time our purpose became known we have met with vehement
protest on the part of the North, usually taking the form of
bitter invective — sometimes, ' that of earnest pleading — from
such Northerners as can agree to disagree.

"We counted this Wirz Monument as belonging to Georgia,
but since its building has become 'a matter of almost national
interest, we take broader grounds. As Americans, as well as
Georgians, we deplore that dark page in American history on
which is recorded the execution of Captain Wirz. This Gov-
ernment is our Government. Our Georgia boys are following
the American flag. We sent more men to the Spanish- American
war, in proportion to our population, than any other state in
the Union. We were under the American flag on November
10th, 1865, the date of Captain Wirz's execution. We have a
right to lament the action of our Government in a matter where-
in we believe wrong was done, however long ago.

"Alexander Stephens said that TRUTH, being based upon
fact, our convictions of truth depend upon our understanding of
the facts. We, the peaceful women of a peaceful time, are so
convinced of our right understanding of facts concerning An-
dersonville Prison that we hope for dispassionate historians of
the future to come to Georgia's understanding of the facts and
to realize how the policy of the United States Government
crowded that prison at a time when the Confederate Govern-
ment confessed inability to care for the prisoners, and to further
realize the terrible injustice of having held one man, and he a
subordinate officer, responsible for the awful conditions exist-
ing there."

45

How the Wirz Monument Went to Andersonville

(By Katherine Latham).

The special session of the Georgia Division of the Daughters
of the Confederacy held in Atlanta Thursday was one of the
largest conventions ever held by the division. A number of the
most representative members of the division attended this special
session as the question to be brought up was one of the most im-
portant and one that the women of the division felt had been
before the body long enough and that some decisive action had
to be taken at this time.

The convention was presided over by Miss Alice Baxter, pres-
ident of the Georgia Division. Seated on the rostrum with her
was Miss Mattie Sheibley, recording secretary, and Miss Rosa
Woodberry as parliamentary referee, two large vases of hand-
some red and white carnations stood on the tables and back of
the rostrum was artistically decorated with flags.

SESSION IMPRESSIVE.

The session was opened by a most impressive prayer offered
by General Clement A. Evans, who invoked the greatest bless-
ing of God on the Daughters of the Confederacy and especially
upon those who had gathered there to discuss an important
question. He prayed that they might be given the grace from on
High to see the right and do it. Mrs. McCabe, president of the
Atlanta Chapter, welcomed the convention in a delightful and
homelike way and made every visitor feel indeed at home.

Miss Ida Holt, of Macon, who is a most charming speaker,
responded in a most delightful manner to the address of wel-
come.

Mr. L. M. Park, chairman of the Advisory Board of the
Daughters of the Confederacy, gave an interesting and pleas-
ant talk which was enjoyed by all of the delegates and visitors.

The session was held in the large assembly hall of the Pied-
mont Hotel, and this spacious room was crowded with an inter-
ested and attentive audience. It was one of the most delightful,

46

harmonious and pleasant sessions held in some time. Each
delegate went up with a firm purpose of carrying her point
without any unkindness or unpleasantness or without any hard
feelings to the other places which would be offered as a site for
the Wirz monument and this spirit of friendliness was manifest
throughout the session. Each woman who spoke for the site in
which she or her chapter was interested did so with calmness and
deliberation, dealing in no personalities or criticisms, giving
close attention to the papers of their opponents and at last,
when Andersonville was selected by the largest vote ever cast
for this site it was moved by an ardent adherent for Macon
that the action of the session giving the monument to Anderson-
ville be made unanimous.

The vote on the question was taken by chapters and while
Miss Mattie Shiebley, the recording secretary, called the roll the
members of the Credentials Committee took down the votes.
When they were counted and Mrs. Oswell Eve, of Augusta, who
counted for Andersonville, called the report that Andersonville
had received one hundred and twenty-five votes, it was several
minutes before quiet could be restored, after which there were
congratulations for the advocates for Andersonville from both
Macon and Americus.

After the preliminaries of opening the convention were over
the question of sites for the Wirz monument was taken up. It
was decided by vote that all sites be heard from before the dis-
cussion of them would be taken. In this way each site was pro-
posed, and then each delegate was given the privilege of the
floor for ten minutes to discuss the question. No delegate was
allowed to speak more than once on the same subject until every
one who desired to speak had been heard. This arrangement
was found to work beautifully, no confusion being caused and
each one having an opportunity to speak.

ANDER .'ONVILLE THE PLACE.

Mrs. Robert Grady, the official delegate from the Savannah
Chapter, was the first to speak on sites, and in a few well
chosen words she put forth Andersonville as the only logical
site for the monument. This was, of course, received with ap-
plause, as Andersonville seemed to be the favorite place from
the beginning.

47

Miss Ida Holt, of Macon, put forth that city's claims most
forcibly in a well written and well delivered paper.

Mrs. Estes, of Americus, was the advocate for Americus, and
told why that city should be selected.

A number of very strong talks were made by delegates for
their favorite site. Miss Baxter had arranged extracts from the
four conventions on the subject of the Wirz monument, so that
new delegates attending the special session would be familiar.
This was very thoughtful and was appreciated by the entire
convention.

INTERESTING TALKS.

The talks were most interesting and instructive and brought
forth much applause. A very strong and well prepared paper
was read by Mrs. N. B. Harrison, of Savannah, for Anderson-
ville, and also by Mrs. Oswell Eve, of Augusta, for the same
place. These two women have worked late and early for the
last three months and have been untiring in their efforts to have
the monument put where it was intended from the first, when
Mrs. L. G-. Young, of Savannah, proposed the monument to
Wirz and to be erected at Andersonvilie. The Savannah Con-
vention, held in November, which sent the monument to Rich-
mond, those voting for that place were the staunch and firm
adherents for Andersonvilie, who, after Andersonvilie was de-
barred as a site, decided to send it to the Confederate capital,
feeling that after Andersonvilie this was the only place, but
from the moment that it was decided to call an extra session
they went back to work harder than ever to put it at Ander-
sonvilie.

Mrs. Walter D. Lamar, of Macon, who has worked most in-
dustriously for the monument for Macon, feeling that it could
teach more from an educational point of view if placed in that
city, read a splendid paper endorsing Macon. Atlanta voted
strong for Macon, Mrs. R. E. Park and Mrs. Otley making
earnest appeals for that city.

ANDERSONVILLE PREFERRED.

The talk which was listened to with the utmost attention and
interest was that of Mrs. Helen Plane, honorary president of the
Georgia Division and first president of the Atlanta Chapter.
Mrs. Plane said that she had always felt that she had obedient

48

and loving daughters and that their mother had had her 80th
birthday just the day before and if her children wished her to
live 80 years longer they would please her by putting the Wirz
monument on the only site that was right, and she begged them
to vote for Andersonville.

Another interesting talk was made by Mrs. Meyers, of Fitz-
gerald. She spoke of the large numbers of Northerners at her
home and of the camp of G. A. R. and the Women's Relief
Corps, and said that she worked side hy side with these people
in perfect harmony in the various charities and good works done
in Fitzgerald, and that she wanted to tell the folks from At-
lanta and Macon who said that few people would see the Wirz
monument if placed at Andersonville, that they were much mis-
taken ; that every year and more than once in the year Fitz-
gerald sent several thousand people to Andersonville on differ-
ent occasions and that none of the people would go to Macon or
Atlanta, and that they did not know where Americus was. That
their reason for stopping in Macon was to make connection and
they got away from Atlanta as soon as they could get on the
train. Every delegate, even those from Macon and Atlanta,
enjoyed Mrs. Meyers' talk as it , was made in a humorous and
unique way and she was heartily applauded.

SESSION GOOD-NATURED.

The entire session was carried on in this good-natured way
and each talk was applauded by those in favor of the site being
discussed. Each city seemed to be anxious to send its best ma-
terial as delegates, several chapters sending their full number
Savannah was entitled to twelve, but only four were able to at-
tend. Deep regret was expressed on the absence of Mrs. A. B.
Hull, president of the Savannah Chapter and ex-president of
the Georgia Division, under whose administration the Wirz
monument was built, and who is chairman of the unveiling com-
mittee. Also on the absence of Mrs. L. H. Raines, custodian of
the crosses of honor, who was strongly in favor of Andersonville.

Mrs. Robert Grady, the official delegate from the Savannah
Chapter, was most efficient, and although not having attended
many division conventions, acted like a veteran and worked hard
to carry out the wishes of her chapter, which was done in a
most charming manner. Mrs. Grady made many friends among

49

the older members of the division, who complimented her on the
splendid way she conducted the duties of official delegate.

Mrs. J. A. Rounsaville, of Rome, and Mrs. John A. Donald-
son, of Bainbridge; Mrs. Nesbitt, of Marietta, first vice-presi-
dent of the Division; Miss Mildred Rutherford, state historian,
of Athens; Miss Annie Benning, of Columbus; Mrs. Harrison,
of Savannah; and Mrs. J. 0. Oodberg, of Covington, were in-
teresting members of the delegation who spoke charmingly for
the sites in which they were interested.

Miss Ramph, of Augusta, read the resolutions of thanks
which was well written and which thanked the Atlanta Chapter
for their most delightful and charming entertainment during
the special session.

ATLANTA ENTERTAINS.

The Atlanta Chapter entertained the delegates and visitors
with a most enjoyable luncheon at the Piedmont Hotel Thurs-
day from one to two-thirty.

In the evening Miss Baxter entertained with a delightful and
charming reception at her home on West Peachtree street, all
the officers of the division present and the officers of the Atlanta
Chapter receiving with Miss Baxter.

Delicious refreshments were served by the young girls of the
Atlanta Chapter, and the decorations were of red and white
carnations. In the dining room the handsome old mahogany
table was attractive with an exquisite piece of renaissance with
an immense bowl of white carnations and fern. Vases of fra-
grant peach blossoms were placed on the cabinets.

Expressions of pleasure and good will were heard from all
the visitors and the special session was considered to be one of
the most delightful gathering together of a number of the
most intellectual, careful, strong and charming members of the
Daughters of the Confederacy in the state, many saying that
they were glad that the special session was called and they
hoped there would be others.

When all things were ready arrangements were made for the
unveiling of the monument May 12, 1909.

Hon. Pleasant A. Stovall, of Savannah, was the orator of the
day. He said justice must be done to the memory of the man

50

who was the victim of blind prejudice. Mr. James Taylor, of
Americas, also spoke along the same line.

The monument was unveiled by Gladys Perrin, the little
grand-daughter of Henry Wirz. His daughter, Mrs. J. B.
Perrin, of Natchez, Miss., with her little girl were guests of the
Georgia Division.

Misrepresentations in Recent Papers and
Magazines

In Le Matin, Paris, January 20, 1919, appeared the follow-
ing;

"As a precedent no better can be given for the punishment
of Germans of all degrees convicted of violation of the laws of
war, than the case of Henry Wirz, who was tried by court mar-
tial and executed after the Civil War for cruelties suffered by
Northern prisoners in the camp he commanded at Anderson-
ville, Georgia."

In the Grand Rapids Herald, January 24, 1919, a Republican
paper, appeared the following:

"The nations at the Peace Conference are planning to extra-
dite William Hohenzollern, former Kaiser, and punish him for
his share in the horrors of the World War. In the French legal
brief, justifying such action, is cited the case of Henry Wirz.

"Captain Henry Wirz was the commandant of the Anderson-
ville Prison, a more inhuman place of confinement than the
worst German prison of the late war.

"Old prints show the Andersonville commander (Henry
Wirz) personally kicking and beating weakened prisoners and
ordering his soldiers to kill these wretches who had become
weakened by prison life.

"At the close of the war Wirz was tried and hanged for his
crimes.

"German prisons were not as bad as Andersonville Prison,
and no where in history is there a more vivid example of horrors
visited upon humankind."

A similar article appeared in Collier's Weekly and our Mr.
James Callaway, of the Macon Telegraph, answered it con-
vincingly. The New York Times, Frank Leslie, and the Chicago
papers had articles just as untrue.

Leon Bourgeois, one-time Premier of France, said:

"Captain Wirz's cruel treatment of Northern prisoners re-
sulted in the death of some 45,000 soldiers of war at Anderson-
ville. .

51

"Thirty thousand died from starvation and drinking impure
water, which was the only water allowed the prisoners ; ten
thousand died from cold or heat, the prisoners not being pro-
vided with any protection against the elements ; one thousand
more died from the effects of polluted air ; one hundred were
tortured until they succumbed to death, and fifty who tried to
make their escape were tracked by bloodhounds and died from
the wounds they received; the guards killed three hundred; and
others died from the effects of vaccine serum, and Captain Wirz
deliberately shot to death several of these Northern soldiers.

"The Military Commission appointed to try Wirz found him
guilty of conspiring maliciously, traitorously and in violation of
the laws of the land to impair and injure the health and destroy
the lives of a large number of Federal prisoners.

"The ailing were refused proper lodging, nourishment or
medical care.

"The clothing and blankets were taken away from them by
the commandant. The prisoners were forced to drink the
offal and drainage of cook house. They were bound together
with large chains and left for hours in the burning sun with-
out food or drink. They were forced to set or lie in one posi-
tion without changing. Wirz established a deadline and in
many places it was only an imaginary line, but the prison
guards were instructed to fire upon any soldier who might touch
or accidently fall across this line. In all, the guards killed 300
prisoners, following out. the instructions given. Then Wirz kept
ferocious bloodhounds to run down the prisoners and these ani-
mals were incited to mangle and maim these frightened prison-
ers of war.

"Then besides this, Wirz woudd jump upon them, stamp
them, kick them and bruise them with his boot heels. Then
there were cases of gangrene but nothing but water given for
treatment. The prisoners would even beg for bones when their
food was distributed."

Is it any wonder that those boys of the North reading in
France such villification of the South should attempt to dese-
crate that Wirz monument when they returned to America?

The truth must be known or the South will continue to be
villified.

52

INDEX

Page

Andersonville Prison 19

President Davis 17, 28, 29, 34, 45

Location; size 10, 11, 17

Description of Stockade ,10, 11, 18, 51, 52

Number of prisoners 11

Interior of Prison 4, 10, 11

Provision; cooks 10, 21

Rules; discipline 11, 21

Hospital; medicine 15, 18, 32

Court of Prisoners 24, 25

Petition sent by Prisoners 20, 26

Confederate Government 10, 18, 23, 25, 38

Officers in command 9, 29

Lieutenant Davis 22

Sherman's Letter to Yeatman 19

Burning Factories and Supplies 19, 32

Graves Marked 18

Southern pride 19

Confederate Congress 7

Medicine Contraband of War 18, 32

Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War 19, 20, 23, 24

Negro Prisoners 21, 23, 24, 26

Sketch of Henry Wirz 3

Pronunciation of Name 3

Birthplace; Education 3

Marriage; Children 3

Mrs. J. S. Perrin 3

Characteristics of Wirz :___. 7, 10, 11, 18, 25, 26, 29

Personal Appearance '. 4

Profession; Degrees 3

Soldier; Wounded 4

Minister Plenipotentiary to Paris and Berlin 4

Prison Appointments 4

Camp Sumter 7

Letters about Andersonville 22, 24

Appreciation of Prisoners _* 7, 8

Lieutenant Mayes 7

Letter from Daughter 9

Drummer Boys 26

Red Cap 26

Sick Leave for a Month 14, 15, 26

Manufacture of Beer 19, 23

Sword and Sash 26

Parole; Arrest 4, 5

Capitol Prison __5, 28, 32

Trial of Henry Wirz 12, 13, 14

Pleas in Bar 14

Condemned and Hanged 14

Judicial Farce " 16

Wife Accused by Enemy of Poisoning Husband 30

Denied Christian Burial 16

Monument Erected by U. D. C. 41

The Trial of Henry Wirz 12

The Military Commission 12

The Specifications 12, 13, 14

The Charges 14

The Witnesses 14. 15, 16, 30, 31

Suborned Witnesses 5, 16, 28

Pag«

Col. Ould's Subpoena 15

Witnesses not Called 15

Dr. A. W. Barrows 15

Wirz's Atttorney — , , 14

Surgeons' Reports 6

Felix de la Baume . 14, 31

Louis Schade's Testimony 27, 33

Dr. Jos. Jones' Report 37, 38

Principal Witness 14, 15

Appeal to President Johnson 34, 35

Conover's Testimony 31

General L. C. Baker 29, 30

Vaccine Matter 17

General Winder 25, 30

Northern Testimony Vindicates Wirz 19

Albert Richardson, Field, Dungeon and Escape 19

James Madison Page and M. J. Haley, The True History

of Andersonville 19, 20, 21, etc.

Melvin Grisby, History of Andersonville Prison 20

John W. Urban, Battlefield and Pen 20

Dr. T. H. Mann, A Yankee in Andersonville 22

Ambrose Spencer, A Narrative of Andersonville 19

The War of the Rebellion 21, 24

General Grant's Memoirs 23, 44

General Butler 23

General Sherman 19, 21

Louis Schade 28—33

Judge Shea 7

General T. Seymour 24

Dr. Gardiner's Testimony 7

General O. H. LaGrange 11

Chas. A. Dana, Assistant Secretary of War 23

M. J. Haley, Helena, Montana 39

Dr. E. A. Flewellen 6

New York Daily News, M. H. S. 21

A Union Soldier's Report 38, 40

Misrepresentations 51

he Matin, (Paris) 51

Grand Rapids Herald 51

Colliers Weekly 51

Frank Leslie 51

Chicago Tribune 51

The New York Times 51

Leon Bourgeois, Ex-Premier of France 51, 52

Judge Chipman 15, 17

Contradicttory Accounts 39

Painting Wirz's Monument 52

History of Monument to Henry Wirz 41

Date of Erection 41

By whom Suggested 41

President of Georgia Division 41

Committees Appointed 43

Design Accepted 44

Inscription Selected 44

Why Erected at Andersonville? 46

Visit to Andersonville 41

Unveiling of Monument 50

Wirz's Daughter and Grand-daughter 51

General Information —

The Captain Wirz Case, Matthew Page Andrews _._16

Pag«

Benjamin H, Hill's Answer tt Blaine *. . — ._,— —^IB

Chief Justice Chase _________ .__„__ $

Confederate Congress 6

Confederate Museum - 9

General Howell Cobb 15, 17

Col. Chandler 22

Mrs. Jefferson Davis 6

Destruction and Reconstruction 36

General Clement A. Evans 46

Col. Jas. H. Fannin 9, 12

Father Whelan 15, 17, 29

Father Boyle 17, 29

Providence Spring 18

Women's Relief Corps 18

Harper's Weekly 20

M. J. Haley 38

Dr. W. J. W, Kerr 5

General Kilpatrick 21

Abraham Lincoln 3, 5

General Robert E. Lee 33

E. D. Townsend's Memoirs 5

Capatin Noyes 4

Col. Aleck. Persons 4

Adjutant John C. Rutherford 34

Official Records 34

Reward Offered for Capture of Jefferson Davis 31

Col. Seddon 29

R. R. Stevenson 29

Alexander H. Stephens 33

Mrs. Surratt , : - 5

Dr. R. Randolph Stevenson, The Southern Side of Ander-

sonville 39

Trial of Wirz Unconstitutional 14

General Richard Taylor 34

The Washington Post 27

General R. B. Winder 25, 29

War Department 5, 21

Dr. J. H. White 15

Mrs. Louis G. Young 38

7I.1&&1.&M.09&&1